JEDDAH, 17 June 2004 — The 3rd Panasonic Junior Tennis Tournament is in full swing since it unfolded with the draw of lots on June 7.
In a fun fare evening attended by players and supporters, Jeddah Tennis Organization (JeTO) officials unveiled the mechanics of the tournament and referred to the enthusiasm of participants and overwhelming support of the parents.
Raghav Ramabadran, 12, competing in both the 12 and 14 years and under categories, is considered the favorite. In the beginners 10 years and under, a number of Filipino hopefuls lead the pack, while in the doubles, it is the Fenton brothers — Daniel and Raymond against the Olegarios brothers — Andre and Adolf.
In the first week of action, Allan Ariesgado and Robel Abarra competing in the 10 years and under category prevailed over Joud Chamoun and Rafi Daou. Abarra unleashed his powerful game and battled back from 1-3, to win 6-4. Early in the first round, Abarra whipped Long Olivier 6-3, while Rafi Daou needed a late outburst to breeze past Allan Ariesgado. Joining Abarra in the quarterfinals is another Filipino hopeful Carl Jife Abat who eased past Nadim Zameli 6-2. Other 10 years and under winners include Carlo Guese who escaped with a 6-4 win over Brock Beckly.
In the 12 years and under, top seeded Raghav Ramabadran played through to form and moved into the next round with an 8-3 win over Sidhart Kumar. Loloah Chamoun, last year’s 10 years and under champion and now competing in the higher 12 years and under level, struggled with her rhythm, but fought back and stayed on track with a moral boosting 8-6 win over Sohil Al-Noure. In the other 12 years and under games, Adolf Olegario frustrated the diminutive but equally strong Andre Ciganik to win 8-6.
In the lower half of the draw, Sherif Mostafa thrilled the home crowd and fashioned out a thrilling 8-7 (11- 9) win over Philip Darouni. Mostafa found himself on the verge of defeat, as Darouni failed to convert a 7-5 advantage. Mostafa pulled back, to forge a tiebreak and streak a blow to the hope of Darouni.
In the 14 years and under, Andre Olegario downed Tarek Attar 8-3, Kevin Kruget survived with an 8-6 defeat of Shivansh Kumar, Sidhart Kumar overwhelmed Croydon D’Mello 8-2, Sameer Khan romped over Nadeem Zameli 8-2 and Philip Darouni fashioned out a tough win over Frederik Larson 8-6. The tournament is exclusively sponsored by Panasonic as part of the Panasonic Junior Tennis Circuit and organized by JeTO, headed by Serge Taga as Chairman, Tournament Director Jovito Llevares, Tournament Referee Francis Idjao, Finance Officer Algier Reganon, and members of the board composed of Ruel Consumo and Elmer Sto Domingo.
