RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, October 25, 2000 – A veteran Filipino pair, Sonny Santos - Willy Biay and the promising Saudi tandem, Hussam Al Daghfag - Omar Swaidan eliminated their respective opponents in their quarterfinal matches thus earning the first two places in the Class-B doubles semifinal at the 25^th El Faleh Sports House Desert Classic Open tennis gala at the hotel Intercontinental recreation center.

With this annual tourney, hotel Intercontinental also celebrates its 25^th silver jubilee anniversary. Other companies supporting this tennis event are Pepsi, Power Horse Energy Drink, Saudi Globalstar, SGB Dabal for scaffolding, Promoaction and DDB.

Santos – Biay beat Mark Stanley- Muhammed Ali Sheikh 6-3, 6-2. Daghfaq – Swaidan stopped Edward Cabanas – Adam Socor 6-3, 6-4. The other joining them in the last four are Alvin Ebreo – Nicol Sandigan who beat Salim Bitar – Hicham Riani 6-3, 7-6 and Noli Lagare-Noel Mejia who down Arnold Lood-Raffy Dela Cruz 6-3, 6-4. Earlier, in a long tussle, Mark Stanley and Muhammed Ali Al Shaikh had to struggle a bit to overcame a strong challenge from Rey Bolocan and Efren Navidad, winning in the end 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Shabib and Daghfag, also playing the top Class-A doubles flight, combined well to eliminate Faez Assad and Mario Sagnit 6-4, 6-4. In the second encounter here, Filipino tandem, Adam Socor and Jessie Suarez set aside Eduardo De Sousa and Noel Mejia 7-5, 6-2.

Seven matches were completed in Class-C. Abrar of the Gulf Cooperation Insurance Company and his new partner Ziauddin from Middle East Specialized Cable Company showed better understanding to oust Najeh Dawas and Hamad Al Khatib 6-1, 6-1. Brian Robinson and Ahmed Ali defeated Clifford Mendes and Rene Sumido 6-3, 6-4. Young Aamer Javed, winner of the various junior titles, joined hands this time with the senior Stanley. They beat Jerome Malit and Bob West 6-2, 6-3. Kye Le Hoang and Robert Chau overpowered Bernie De Castro and Bert Ambo 6-3, 5-7, 6-1. Lotfi Maghmoul and Hibshi Ahamet stopped Hamad Al Kathlan and Saleh Al Amri 7-5, 6-3. Also, moving on were Nani Gagatam and Ed Robillas who won over Romy Penaflor-Chris Quinto 6-3, 6-0. Tom Silvederio and Hassan Ahmed eliminated Thong Asunction and Dennis Minares 7-6, 3-6.

In the veteran Over-45 category, the defending champion Mario Flores once again is eyeing for the titles. This time playing with Rene Matute, they won easily over Pons Oribello and Oscar Aziz 6-2, 6-1. Rodolfo Ancheta and Raul Cenidoza won over Ely Sabello and Herman Honrado 6-3, 7-6. Raulito Briones and Leo Malinao raced past Danny Dela Cruz and Salvador Cabillas 6-1, 6-1. In a rare sporting gesture, Michael James and Tony Ryanczak were declared the winner by default against Nasser Al Shaye and Jun Cabrera. After mutual consultation, the victors agreed to play but went reeling out 6-0, 6-2.

This year, 92 players have joined in the doubles events in categories A, B, C and Over-45. The Saudi national players could not join the double events as they are participating in the GCC championship in Bahrain.