Tameka Peterson, Jhastine Red Ballado lead march in Andrada Cup

MANILA, Philippines — Favorites Tameka Peterson, Jhastine Red Ballado and Julia Ignacio downed their respective foes to lead the march to the quarterfinals in the premier girls’ 18-under division of the 30th Andrada Cup Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

The second-seeded Peterson, an 18-year-old native of Trinidad and Tobago, overcame a strong opening-set challenge from Margaud Rosales and eked out a 7-5, 6-0 victory while the third-ranked Ballado routed Tiffany Roque, 6-0, 6-1, to secure round-of-eight slots.

Ignacio, seeded fourth in this tournament named after former Philippine Tennis Association president Buddy Andrada, for her part, dumped Jezzelle Tristen Romero, 6-2, 6-1.

Peterson clashes with Crystal Mildwaters, a 17-year-old Aussie who downed Justine Maneja, 6-2, 6-0, at 12 noon today while Ballado tackles the winner between Sydney Bush and Kaye Ann Emana at 11 a.m.

Ignacio collides with Nina Sandejas, who bested Elana Misa, 6-1, 6-3, at 11 a.m.

In the girls’ 14-under section, Alexa Joy Milliam registered the biggest victory of the day as she stunned No. 7 Indi Fandinio, 6-0, 6-1.

It was the second win for Milliam in the day as she turned back Sofhia Anne Palahang, 6-0, 6-0, in the grassroots tournament supported by Thadeus Sports Store.

Milliam thus joined top pick Marielle Alexi Jarata, who trounced Chelsea Roque, 6-3, 6-4; No. 2 Angeline Alcala, who smashed Aries Jane Tanawan, 6-1, 6-1; Anna Bloom, a 6-1, 6-0 winner over Yra Nicole Malubag; and Sandra Apostol, who denied Sofia Gomez, 6-3, 6-2, in the next round.

In the girls’ 16-under class, Angeline Alcala waylaid Avrill Reyes, 6-0, 6-1, while Kryshana Brazal blanked Ma. Beatriz Cruz, 6-0, 6-0, to qualify to the next phase.

Sofia Tenorio outlasted Yra Nicole Malubag, 6-3, 5-7, 11-9, and Alesca Ilano prevailed over Francess Moncato, 6-4, 6-0, in the girls’ 12-under section.