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| Stefi Aludo is one step closer to joining the Philippine Women's Open main draw. Glad Pillejera |
MANILA--Stefi Aludo began her road to a bright future ahead in tennis on a high note as she dominated fellow Filipina Angeline Alcala, 6-1, 6-0, in the first round of the Philippine Women's Open qualifying phase on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The 17-year-old Aludo, currently ranked 842nd in the International Tennis Federation junior ranking, showed her might against the 19-year-old Alcala, taking five break points while saving the latter's lone attempt to score off a service break.
Aludo, currently a Grade 12 student at Seibo College, said that she was surprised at the crowd turnout, which is already considered good even if it is just the qualifying round.
"At first, I feel my nerves talaga, and noong nakita ko yung mga tao na sobrang daming sumuporta, yung isip ko is good performance and nothing to lose yung mga laro ko, and then yung mga pinag-training namin, gagamitin namin sa laro na ito," said Aludo.
Now standing in her way to join Alex Eala, Tenny Madis, Kaye Emana, and Elizabeth Abarquez in the main draw is Japanese opponent Sakura Hosogi.
Hosogi, ranked 298th in the world by the WTA, is the top seed in the qualifiers and drew a first-round bye, and she now only has Aludo to beat to secure the round of 32 spot.
"Di ko pa sya nakitang maglaro, pero same lang yung mindset ko, which is nothing to lose, and doon gagapang sa court," Aludo said of her opponent.
Meanwhile, Louraine Jallorina, the other Filipina in the qualifying phase, was eliminated by Thai veteran Peangtarn Plipuech through a 6-0, 6-1 beating.
