FRANCIS CASEY ALCANTARA and Indonesian partner Christopher Rungkat lost to their strong rivals from Europe, second-seeded Johan Brunstrom and Frederik Nielsen, 6-2, 6-2, in the doubles finals of the $75,000 Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Challenger Tour Philippine Open 2016 on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Not even the cheers from the fans could shore up Alcantara and Rungkat in the match where European tennis beat its Asian counterpart. Brunstrom is Swede and Nielsen is Dane. The world No. 205 Brunstrom and Nielsen pocketed the $4,650 top purse.
Second seed Mikhail Youzhny ended Marco Chiudinelli’s Cinderella campaign with a convincing 6-4, 6-4 victory to claim the singles title and the $10,000 prize.
The unseeded Alcantara and Rungkat stormed to the finals with a walkover victory over fourth seed twins Sonchat and Sonchai Ratiwatana.
Brunstrom and Nielsen, on the other hand, repulsed Maximilian Neuchrist and Divij Sharan, 6-3, 6-7, 10-7, in the semifinals.
The Tour returned to the Philippines after 22 years and, according to ATP Challenger Committee Chairman Alison Lee, the tournament was a success.
“The future success of this region and the tennis in Asia is certainly gathering momentum,” Lee said.
“As the number of challengers in the region increases, it is natural that more higher-ranked players from Asia will emerge as they gain more international experience.”
Image credits: Nonie Reyes