Orteza rallies, gains semis

Patricia Joy Orteza battled back from a set down to stun top seed Enah Baba, 2-6, 6-1, 6-1, and barge into the semifinal round of the 18-and-under division of the 20th Andrada Cup Age Group Championships yesterday.

The eighth-seeded Orteza will next face the winner of the match between Japanese Ai Usami and Rio Yamada being played at presstime.

Heavy rains forced the organizers to move the matches out of the Rizal Tennis Center to the Olivarez indoor tennis courts.

Japan’s Ruiko Higashinaka likewise advanced to the semis with a tough 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) win over sixth seed Marinel Rudas in the same category.

Higashinaka will take on compatriot Momoko Tanaka, who blasted Macy Gonzales, 6-2, 6-0.

Meanwhile, Chinese Shao Yi-Jia downed Marian Jade Capadocia, 6-2, 6-4, to snare the 14-and-under crown in the tournament held in honor of former tennis chief Buddy Andrada. On her way to victory, Shao beat No. 8 Isabela Orteza, 6-1, 6-0, upended Akiko de Guzan, 6-4, 6-0, and demolished No. 4 Katrina Orteza, 6-0, 6-1.

No. 2 Christian San Andres overpowered No. 3 Claudio Canlas, 6-3, 6-0, to book the first seat in the 12-and-under final against the winner of the Vince Tabo Tabo-Alberto Lim, Jr. duel.