JEDDAH, 13 July 2003 — Fancied doubles teams of Manny Valleramos and Jovy Llevares and the Khan brothers, Akbar and Zulfikar, showed that they will be the team to beat as professionals took center stage in the ongoing Prince Talal bin Mansour Tennis Cup Tournament, organized by the Jeddah Tennis Organization (JeTo), at Albilad Tennis Courts on Friday.
With action in the round of 16 commencing, Valleramos and Llevares romped to a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Andy Badovino and Roland Santos, while Akbar and Zulfikar had a much easier outing when Larry Zafe and Danny R. conceded the match after losing the first set 6-1.
Today’s pairings in singles will see Filipino Andy Baldovino taking on Jordanian Hani Al-Ali, Filipino Dong Sandoval going against his compatriot Bobby Esquivel, and Saudi Amro Bakhaider playing top-seeded Pakistani Zulfikar Ahmed.
In the doubles, Valleramos and Llevares face the challenge of Khan brothers, while, Basem Jawi and Sumai S. Ounallah, both Saudis, are pitted against Hani Al-Ali and Saleh Busnaq, both Jordanians.
“After nearly a week of the commencement of the inaugural tournament, players are exhibiting their skills, especially the professionals seeing action,” tournament referee Reggie Santosa said. The committee expects top seed Zulfikar Ahmed to dominate, with other contenders being second seed Manny Valleramos and Jovy Llevares.
Results of six doubles matches held on Friday were as follows: Manny Valleramos and Jovy Llevares bt Any Badovino and Roland Santos 6-0, 6-0; Akbar Khan and Zulfikar Khan bt Larry Zafe and Danny R. 6-1 (default); Hatem Jawi and Sukri Boshar bt Yousuf Alireza and Dong Sandoval 7-6 (7-4), 6-4; Namae Melencio and Boy Urquia bt Hamed Samman and Don Adiova 6-3, 6-1; Hani Al-Ali and Saleh Busnaq bt Ding Sandoval; William Cis 6-2, 3-6, 6-1; and Danny Aguinaldo and Al Ijran bt Fernan Viray and Martial Barro 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
In yesterday’s doubles, Ahmed brothers — Zulfikar and Waqar bt Anthony Pangalilingan and Bobby Isquival 6-2, 6-3 and in the lone singles result, Niger’s Abdul Rahman Mousa bt Syrian Bashar Bodera 7-5, 6-2.
