Cruz, Orillosa lead early winners in Toby's netfest

MANILA, Philippines - Promising tennis youngsters led by Bianca Ann Marie Cruz and Kyla Orillosa fended off separate rivals yesterday at the start of the 8th Toby’s Summer Tennis Festival at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The nine-year-old Cruz turned back a taller opponent in Bernadette Melchor, 6-0, 6-0, to reach the quarterfinal round of the 12-under girls action.

The five-foot-seven Orillosa, meanwhile, stood her ground against Sarah D’Souza’s serve and volley game to prevail with a 6-1, 6-2, win and join Cruz in the next round.

 Around 450 kids showed up to see action in the weeklong netfest presented by Toby’s Sports and Prince racquets and sponsored by Equipe, Polar Heart Rate Monitor, Thermos, Kontrol USA, PHILTA and FUTURES Tennis Foundation, and Action & Fitness Magazine.

Cruz, who skipped the 2009 Palarong Pambansa set in Tacloban next week, stunned the 11-year-old Melchor with attacks at the net.

“I felt good with my footwork and my forehand. It has power and consistency. She (Melchor) was scoring, but she was not getting any game point,” said Cruz, the third grader from Woodrose.

In other matches, Maika Tanpoco won over Orillosa, 6-1, 6-2, in the 14-under girls action while Patricia Paez defeated Akiko Kikuchi, 6-1, 6-1, and Angela Santiago downed Maribel Bangayan, 6-0, 6-0.

Jana Hernandez won by default over Beatrice Balcueva in the 16-under girls event.