Suarez off to big start in Phinma International Junior Tennis

MANILA, Philippines — Justin Suarez touched off the local campaign after he outlasted Hon Chun Lee of Hong Kong, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, yesterday at the start of the Phinma-PSC International Junior Tennis Championships Week 2 at Manila Polo Club.

The 18-year-old Suarez, who made the doubles semis last year with Arthur Craig Pantino, arranged a second-round duel against sixth seed Lo Yi-jui of Chinese Taipei, a 6-1, 6-4 winner over Switzerland’s Jean Marc Malkowski.

Nine other Filipinos are competing in the main draw of the tournament sponsored by Philippine Tennis Association, Philippine Sports Commission, Phinma and Tecnifibre.