DHAHRAN, 20 February 2004 — Saudi Aramco’s Al-Munirah Tennis Association (MTA) launched its first ever Director’s Tennis Cup tournament held at Al-Munirah Housing Compound, Saudi Aramco. The tournament, participated by 64 players from Flights 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 categories opened on Feb. 4, 2004 with a singles match event. After more than a week of arduous battle in the hard court, the first phase of the tournament ended on Feb. 13, 2004 with mixed emotions from players.
During the hotly contested clash in the flight one category, Sonny Joaquin won a grueling final against Francis Sobremisana after claiming the deciding set tiebreak 6-1, 2-6, 7-5.
In flight 2 category, Mike Consad managed to outclass Agie Javier’s consistent groundstroke 6-4, 7-5 and emerged as the champion.
Vaughn Vincent Go snatched the flight 3 championship victory when his superb deep slice forehand proved too intricate for Gwen Espina who could not muster a counter offensive strategy and was pulverized 6-0, 6-0.
Noly Sabay came away 6-2, 6-3 winner in just an hour against an out-of-form Flor Fabros to grab the flight 5 championship.
Meanwhile flight 4 player, John Fontillas almost found his tempo in the second set but was finally subdued by Bong Biscocho 6-0, 7-6 (5) during the semifinal duel. The second phase of the tournament is a doubles match among the same flight categories that commenced on Feb. 18, 2004.
