QUARTERFINALIST. Wild card entry Kimi AIyana Brodeth of Ormoc City returns a forehand against Mary Aubrey Calma in their third round match of the PPS-PEPP Rina Cañiza Women’s Open at the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) outdoor courts in Paco, Manila on Wednesday (Feb. 8, 2023. She defeated Calma, 6-1, 6-2, to reach the quarterfinals. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Wildcard entry Kimi Aiyana Brodeth of Ormoc City defeated Mary Aubrey Calma, 6-1, 6-2, to book a quarterfinal berth in the PPS-PEPP Rina Cañiza Women’s Open tennis championships at the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) outdoor courts in Paco, Manila on Wednesday.
"This is my first time to compete in the Women's Open. I played with nothing to lose because I expect my opponents to be more experienced," said the 15-year-old Brodeth, a Grade 10 student from Saint Paul's Ormoc Foundation Inc.
She will face No. 14 Nichole Dela Rita, who pulled off a 7-5, 6-2 upset win over third seed Justine Hannah Maneja, in the quarterfinals.
"I am happy to be in the quarters. I'll just play my usual game," said Brodeth, champion in the Masters Juniors in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental and Dinagyang Festival Juniors in Iloilo City this year.
University of the Philippines players Joshea Dominique Malazarte and Rachel Patricia Velez also moved to the next round along with top seed Alexa Joy Milliam.
Malazarte ousted No. 6 Mikaela Vicencio, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 10-8, to forge a quarterfinal showdown with No. 16 and SEAG veteran Shaira Hope Rivera, a 7-5, 6-2 winner over fourth seed Miles Alexandra Vitaliano.
Velez, a gold medalist at the 2015 and 2017 Palarong Pambansa, eliminated No. 8 Joanna Tao Yee Tan, 6-2, 6-1, to advance against North Cotabato teenage sensation Tennielle Madis, who prevailed over Maria Hannah Divinagracia, 6-0, 6-2.
Milliam, a World Juniors campaigner, outclassed Sydney Ezra Enriquez, 6-2, 6-1, to arrange a quarterfinal duel with unseeded Melanie Faye Dizon, who stunned fifth seed Althea Fay Ong, 7-6 (5), 6-4. (PNA)
