Top-seeded qualifier Sakura Hosogi played a steady match against home bet Stefi Aludo to qualify for the main draw of the Philippine Women's Open.
Japan’s Sakura Hosogi nailed a career milestone as she gained her first WTA main draw after beating home bet Stefi Aludo, 6-1, 6-2, in the Philippine Women's Open qualifiers at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Sunday.
Hosagi, the top seeded qualifier, had to fend off a tougher outing from Aludo in the second set after the Filipina forced an early 2-all tie.
They also needed to buck some delays as rain paused the action multiple times.
After the match, Hosogi admitted feeling nerves playing in her opponent’s home tournament. Nevertheless, she now looks forward to making more strides in the main part of the WTA 125 tournament.
“I’m a first time WTA main draw, so, I [think I] played a very good match today. So, I want to enjoy the next matches,” Hosogi said.
“I’m so nervous today, but I enjoyed the match.”
In Court 1, Viktoria Morvayova survived a marathon opening set before gaining momentum in the second to claim the second of four main draw spots, beating Argentina’s Nicole Fossa Huergo, 7-5, 6-3.
The match lasted an hour and 45 minutes.
Other results saw Japan’s Miho Kuramochi handily beat Fil-Am Mia Horvit, 6-2, 6-1. Thailand’s Peangtarn “Earth” Plipuech was the last to move on to the main draw after beating Japan’s Rina Saigo in their own qualifying match, 6-2, 6-3.
Main draw action begins on Monday, January 26, with four Filipinos seeing action.
WTA world no. 49 Alex Eala leads the way with compatriots Tennielle Madis, Kaye Emana, and Elizabeth Abarquez.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.