Fil-German, 3 other Pinays earn WC berth in ITF bash

Fil-German Katharina Lehnert earned a wildcard berth to the main draw of the PLDT-SMART/ITF Women’s Circuit Week 2 along with the Patrimonio sisters —Clarice and Christine — and another Filipina, Tamitha Nguyen. They plunge into action in the main draw which starts Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. Lehnert, who got a lot of attention with her natural charm and solid game in the ICTSI-ITF Women’s Circuit Week 1, takes on Japanese bet Yoko Naito. The Patrimonio sisters start their bid facing crack opponents. Anna Clarice battles a formidable Indian foe in Nimisha Mohan beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Center Court, the same time Anna Christine squares off with the dangerous Peangthan Pliphuech of Thailand at Court No.2. Nguyen meets Ting-Fei Juan of Chinese Taipei starting 12 noon at Center Court. Lehnert comes off an inspiring performance in the first circuit of this ranking tour event sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation, where she made it all the way to the semifinals. The pretty 16-year-old Fil-German, whose mother Imelda hails from Rosario, La Union, is ranked 102nd in the International Junior Circuit, and is hoping to continue her impressive showing against some of the toughest lady netters from Asia and Europe. - KY, Rey Joble, GMANews.TV