Philippine Sports News and Updates

Francis Casey Alcantara clinched another doubles title with partner Daniel Berta from Sweden at the 20th Mitsubishi-Lancer International Tennis Federation (ITF) Juniors Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Saturday. Alcantara and Berta outclassed brothers Ben and Riki McLachlan from New Zealand, 6-3, 6-0.

The 17-year-old first Filipino grand slam winner even made history by being the first Filipino champion in the 20-year run of the Mitsubishi ITF juniors tournament.

“Masaya. Masarap ang feeling to be the first Filipino boy to win,” Alcantara told abs-cbnNEWS.com over the phone.

The netter from Cagayan de Oro also said he was happy that many people showed up to support him in the doubles final.

This is Alcantara’s third doubles title of the year, following his victory at the Australian Open Junior Boys’ Doubles in January with Chinese Taipei’s Cheng-Peng Hsieh.

While in early March, Alcantara and Berta were the doubles champions at the 13th Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup in Malaysia.

Prior to Saturday’s final, Alcantara was also the first Filipino finalist in the history of the Mitsubishi juniors event.

Alcantara and Berta defeated Sam Barry of Ireland and Sebastian Lavie of New Zealand, 6-1, 6-2, in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Alcantara said he is set to go to Nagoya, Japan on Monday for the Japan Open Junior Championships scheduled from March 31 to April 5.

His coach, Jun Toledo, noted that Alcantara will compete in both singles and doubles events.

• ABS-CBN News
• Philippine Sports Central