Sport | Tennis

Australia and Philippines dominate on opening day of tournament

Australia and the Philippines opened their campaign with contrasting wins in the men's section of the 19th Al Nasr Leisureland Nations Cup Tennis Championship on Sunday.

  • By Alaric Gomes, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:22 January 29, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: Australia and the Philippines opened their campaign with contrasting wins in the men's section of the 19th Al Nasr Leisureland Nations Cup Tennis Championship on Sunday.

While Australia came up with a dominant performance to tame the Netherlands 3-0, the Philippines had to put up with a gutsy display from a young UAE B side before winning 2-1.

Greg Howe overcame a one-set deficit to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 against a younger Ryan Addison, while his teammate from Down Under also took three sets before winning 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 against Martin Magendas. With an unbeatable 2-0 cushion, the Netherlands gave the Aussies a walkover in the doubles.

Postponed

In the second match, the UAE B team was off to a flyer with promising UAE squad member Khalid Al Hassani securing a 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 win against the experienced Manny Gayon.

But for the Philippines youth came to the rescue as coach Ilak Tabura beat the up and coming Rashid Bushaqar 6-1, 6-1.
Tabura then teamed up with Neil Bulilan to defeat Al Hassani and Bushaqar in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.

In the women's section, Syria stunned a strong Philippines outfit 2-0 to also start their campaign in style.

The match between the UAE and the Philippines had to be postponed as Fatma Abbas – playing in the Asian Tennis Federation competition in Dhaka, Bangaldesh – arrived late due to a missed flight.

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