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| Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana (file photo) |
With a combination of seasoned veterans and rising college tennis stars, the Philippine national men's and women's tennis team will be vying to deliver a gold medal (or gold medals) for the country as the tennis competitions start today at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.
But, the journey to the top would not be easy for the Filipino netters as a mix of professional tennis players from their Southeast Asian rivals will be out to challenge their ambitions including familiar foes who have already once broke their hearts before.
In the men's division, twin brothers and back-to-back SEA Games gold medallists Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana will be the toughest challenge for the Filipinos as they headline Thailand alonng with their Davis Cup teammates Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul, Jirat Navasirisomboon, and Kasidit Samrej.
Indonesia's Christopher Rungkat, David Susanto, and Ignatius Susanto will be back for this year's biennial meet as well alongside Ari Fahresi and Muhammad Fitriadi while Vietnam boasts Daniel Cao Nguyen, who is the highest ranked singles player in the event, Le Quoc Khanh, Ly Hoang Nam, Nguyen Van Phuong, and Giang Trinh Linh.
Meanwhile, on the women's side, the Filipinas will be facing off against Indonesian players Beatrice Gumulya and Jessy Rompies, both of whom are inside the WTA Top 200, as well as their compatriots Rifanty Kahfiani, Priska Nugroho, and Aldila Sutjiadi.
Thailand will bank on the services of Anchisa Chanta, Patcharin Cheapchandej, Luksika Kumkhum, Peangtarn Plipuech, and long-time tennis player Tamarine Tanasugarn.
Brunei is the only country that will not field any player in either men's and women's side.
Below is the full lineup for each country:
Men's Tennis
Cambodia
Kenny Bun
Ponlok Khleang
Sarith Our
Indonesia
Ari Fahresi
Muhammad Fitriadi
Christopher Rungkat
David Susanto
Ignatius Susanto
Laos
Vitaya Rasavady
Sataporn Simmalavong
Malaysia
Chin Zao Quan Christian Didier
Muhammad Aiman Hamdan
Shamirul Shahril Mohd Adam Das
Neoh Khai Keat
Syed Naguib Syed Mohamad Agil
Myanmar
Min Myu Paing
Zaw Kaung Khant
Philippines
Francis Casey Alcantara
Ruben Gonzales
Treat Huey
AJ Lim
Jeson Patrombon
Singapore
Bin Meqsud Alam Muhammad Shaheed Alam
Timothy Tze Hsien Lim
Ethan Kai Xin Lye
Hao Yuan Ng
Roy Alif Hobbs
Aneish Jose Sawney
Jonathan Kyle Tan
Thailand
Jirat Navasirisomboon
Sanchai Ratiwatana
Sonchat Ratiwatana
Kasidit Samrej
Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul
East Timor
Patricio Jose Ferreira
Antonio Mendes
Vietnam
Daniel Cao Nguyen
Le Quoc Khanh
Ly Hoang Nam
Nguyen Van Phuong
Giang Trinh Linh
Women's Division
Cambodia
Ho Sreynoch
Andrea Daravy Ka
Grace Annete Krusling
Chenda Som
Indonesia
Beatrice Gumulya
Rifanty Kahfiani
Priska Nugroho
Jessy Rompies
Aldila Sutjiadi
Malaysia
Mohd Adam Das Suhana Sofia
Alisha Nayar Sara
Jawairiah Noordin
Theiviya Selva Rajoo
Wan Abdul Rahman Sharifah Elysia
Myanmar
Thandar Aung
Thein S Kyim Nyaing
Philippines
Marian Capadocia
Denise Dy
Khim Iglupas
Anna Clarice Patrimonio
Shaira Hope Rivera
Singapore
Lim En Tong Lynelle
Peng Suqing Sarah Pang
Seah Shi Yi Charmaine
Tan Hui Xin Izabella
Tan Kay Shan Tammy
Tan Nicole Y Kit
Thailand
Anchisa Chanta
Patcharin Cheapchandej
Luksika Kumkhum
Peangtarn Plipuech
Tamarine Tanasugarn
Vietnam
Dao Minh Trang
Fodor Csilla
Ly Nguyen Savanna
Phan Thi Thanh Binh
Tran Thuy Thanh Truc
Follow him on Twitter: @KristoffBellen.
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