Black Tigers stamped their class in Category B2 after stopping Azizeyah on its track for a 3-1 victory, while team Saudia Catering streaked to its second win against Siemens 3-1 victory in their category LMX encounter.

Twisters, on the other hand, notched their first win after two games at the expense of JRTC in category C, as the 6th ALBAIK Tennis Challenge 2014 eliminations reached the halfway stage at the Trio-Ranch Country Club tennis courts on the outskirts of Jeddah.

Black Tigers started the match with Yosef Qozi and Tarek Anrahari losing the first set 6-8 to Azizeyah’s Ibrahim and Ahmad. Shaking off a jittery start, Mohammed A. and Ahmed A. controlled the second set to win via tiebreak 8-7 against a fighting Mohammad and Khalid to put the Tigers at an even 1-1 score. Third set saw Saleh Salem and Malek A. outclass their opponents in Abdul Rahman and Mohannad with an 8-4 victory to give the Tigers the lead at 2-1. Going for the kill, Yayha Maalof and Wael Al Harhi survived the tiebreak to collect their third point over Faizan and Ali and give the victory to Black Tigers 3-1.

In category LMX, Saudia Catering posted its second win after beating Siemens. Dr. Munir and Farouk dropped the first set to Siemens Noe and Miller at 2-8 but this did not deter the Caterers as they went on to win three straight sets starting with Acsi and Noor at 8-1 over Dennis and Nelson Ramos in the second set followed by Mike and Michael’s 8-2 conquest of Cezar and Nelson Sta. Clara. Sealing the victory was Anas and Alex’s 8-2 win over Victor and Ryan for the 3-1 final scorecard.

Over at court No. 3, Twisters had a see-saw battle with Jeddah Ranao Tennis Club (JRTC) in their category C encounter. Twisters took the first set via an 8-7 tiebreak with Aga Paundag and Miller Ombawa emerging victors over Habib and Khalid. It was JRTC’s turn to win in the second set as Ken and Ali Essa hammered Ameco Benito and Jamil Paudac to an 8-1 submission. Third set was hotly contested and decided by tiebreak until the smoke cleared to show Twister’s Ameen Miguel and Aznar Mahorombsar victorious over Basem and Webb Pango at 8-7. With the odds in their favor, Twisters Bong Tala and Ali Tantuas outlasted Satar and Ameen Aguam with an 8-6 win to post their third point and win the match at 3-1.

In the MMX category, Sandstorm went past a fighting JRTC-Makita team. It was only the second set which ended in regular play as Makita’s Acmad and Ahmad posted an 8-5 win over Tungco and Podeen. All other sets were won by Sandstorm thru an 8-7 tie-break. First set was taken by Barra and Sammy against Norudeen and Ali Essa. Third set was won by Maarouf and Jimmy over Tuffs and Dom and fourth set by Danny and Noor agains Rass and Ton.

Organized by the Association of Tennis Clubs in Jeddah (ASTEC) under the helm of its chairman Francis Idjao Jr. and Tournament Director Tonton Pana, this 27th ASTEC team tennis tournament is presented in partnership with ALBAIK Food Systems Co. Ltd. represented by Bassam Al-Seyofi (PR-manager) and Ed Cabiedes (branch manager), and is supported by Deltaz Marketing (Racquet Shop), Sky Freight Forwarders and Almarai Drinks.