Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 21, 2001 – It was lucky start for the Security Forces hospital pair, Vivienne Sabello and Cecille Bago as they won their opening encounter in Class-A doubles at the ongoing fourth LITT tennis tournament being played at the King Fahad National Guard hospital recreation center.
They defeated Ronda Tufenkeji of KFSH and her partner Farnaz Ogaick from the Canadian embassy 6-3, 6-2. Their next clash would be interesting to watch as they take on the top seeded pair of Helen Simolde of KFSH and Nelda Flauta from SFH.
In the Flight-B doubles, the favorites prevailed in contrasting fashions. Top seed Jo Alimpuangon and Remy Viado defeated the tandem of Sultana Al Saleh and Sarah Al Turki 6-0, 6-4. The SFH pair, Heidi Agustin and Mimi Ardenio moved past Tita Padilla and Mel Rabago of KFNGH in straight sets 6-2, 6-0.
Tess Ompoc and Julie Bagasala of KFNGH defeated Isabel Lata and Agnes Vila of SHF. Ompoc and Bagasala squandered opportunities in and lost the first set 2-6 but came back strongly to take the next two sets 6-4, 6-4 to gain a quarterfinal match against Cel Arrastia and Jean Borjal of KFSH. Arrastia and Borjal won against SFH’s Fatima Basilio and Babes Vasques from KFSH in three sets 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in a tight contest that could have gone either way.
British Catherine Garret and French Anne Meihle took three sets to eliminate the fighting duo of Marinel Marquez and May Dujale 6-2, 6-7, 6-4. Marivic Tuquiero and Fanny Minas advanced to the next round with the withdrawal of their opponents Ian Villa and Ruby Cruz of RKH. They will now face next Claire Dumaliang and Vicky Alvarez of KFNGH, the winner over Joan Bunda and Rose Sotelo of RKH in two sets by 6-4, 6-1.
In Flight-C1 doubles, KFNGH’s Susan Gatchalian teamed up with Jeth Gumaru to earn a quarterfinals berth by beating Au Gutierrez and Tess Rapadas of KFSH in three sets 6-4, 2-6, 6-1. At the bottom half of the draw, Jelvise Kelly of RKH and Dina Almazan of KFNGH showed excellent form as they crushed the duo of Johara Espejon and Tita Padilla in two sets.
New comers Letty Dinio and Jenny Viloria of KFNGH outplayed fellow beginners Aida Mateo and Rovick Delos Santos of SFH 6-1, 6-1 in category C2. They will challenge next in the quarterfinal round the Quilacio sisters, Beth and Maica. The quarterfinal clash between the teams of Nanette Maynes and Marcie Andaya against partners Mhel Camarse and Sol Marasigan went the way of the latter as they outlasted Maynes and Andaya in three sets 4-6, 7-6 (10-8), 7-5.
At the bottom half of the draw in this category, Sally Clemente and Perta Morales claimed their injury plague match against the determined duo of Alice Friala and Luz Alcarioto of Security Forces hospital, winning in two long sets 7-6 (7-4), 7-5. Interesting enough, before the match was completed, with Clemente the exception, three of the four protagonists had endured leg cramps. In the other quarterfinal encounter, Clemente and Moraies had an easier time, overcoming the team of American Agatha Cambridge and Filipina Monina Diaz, both from KFSH, in straight sets 6-2, 6-4.
The tournament is sponsored by Abuljadayel Beverages, Inc, maker of BISON Energy Drink. Other co-sponsors include Anseri Cargo Services and SARAWAT Superstore. The Riyadh Team Tennis League (RTTL) Chairman Farouk El-Laithy acts as an advisor.