Fil-foreign players rule PCA tennis open

Fil-foreign netters made their presence felt in the Philippine Columbian Association (PSA) Open Tennis Championships as they ruled the women’s and men’s singles titles Sunday at the PCA clay courts in Paco, Manila. Desirae Krawczyk, a 16-year-old Fil-Am junior netter, repulsed Christine Patrimonio, 7-6 (1), 6-3, to bag her first women’s crown after three weeks of playing in Manila. Marc Sieber, a promising Fil-German based in Munich, proved to be too much against veteran campaigner and former Davis Cupper Johnny Arcilla, winning 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 to capture the men’s singles crown. Krawczyk, whose mother hails from Cagayan, pocketed the P50,000 top prize for the women’s side. Sieber, whose mother is a native of Cagayan de Oro, bagged the P100,000 top prize for the men’s division. In winning the men’s crown, Sieber caught the attention of local tennis officials, as he is now being considered to join the Philippine Davis Cup team next year. Up against the more experienced Arcilla, Sieber used his youthful legs in wearing down his opponent. “He (Johnny) was forcing me to work on my backhand. I was nervous from the start, but I started to pick up my game, especially in the third set," said the 22-year-old Sieber. Among the Pinoy standouts who became victims of Sieber’s solid game were Patrick John Tierro, whom he beat in the semis, former champion Joseph Victorino, and Randy de Guzman. For her part, Krawcyzk averted a near Sister Act finale in the women’s side. She defeated Christine’s younger sister, Clarice, in the semis. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV