Hee, Matsumo to win DFS tennis tourney
The first weekend of the 19th Annual DFS Micronesian Tennis Championships concluded this past Saturday and Sunday. There was lots of great tennis played with over 100 participants in the first weekend alone. This makes it the biggest tournament ever held in Saipan.
In junior play, Hee Seung Kim continued his dominance in the boys 18 and under category with a 6-0, 6-2 win over up and coming Gerald Boyer. In the boys 14 and under, two visiting Guam players met in the final with Ryan Salecina downing Dean Dedicatoria 6-0,6-0.
In the boys 10 and under, Keith Gabaldon bested Gaku Matsumara 6-4 in the final.
Rika Matsumoto took top honors over Rica Dela Cruz in the girls 14 and under final. Lila Mailman defeated rival Mayuko Arriola 6-2 in the final in girl’s 10 and under action.
In men’s open play, PIC’s Toby Evans and Dan Weaver fought past Jeff Race and Hee Seung Kim 6-4, 6-3. In Men’s 40 and over, Jack McClure and Ely Buenaventura triumphed in a marathon match 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 over Charles Jordan and Franz Reksid.
Franz Reksid managed to win the Men’s 4.0 doubles with partner Jim Burgess 6-1, 6-4 over Mohammed Ashraf and Dino Jones.
In the Men’s 3.0 division, Louie Fontillas and Alex Martin beat Rudy Arive and Matt Buenabajo 6-0, 6-0.
The women’s side saw the return of Hiroko Amemiya and Wendy Herring to the winner’s circle over Delia Johnson and Lucita Pasana 6-4, 6-3 in the Women’s Open doubles.
In Women’s 3.0 doubles, Merly Hudkins and Nelia Luna beat Kayoko Miyazawa and Yoshiko Song 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
On the Mixed Open doubles, Wendy Herringing and Dan Weaver double winners as they bested Kana Aikawa and Danny Stern 6-1, 6-4.
In the Mixed 3.0 doubles, Mohamed Ashraf and Atsuko Yamagishi won over Dino and Letty Jones 6-7, 6-4, 6-1.
The tournament continues this Memorial weekend with play in junior doubles and singles in the adult categories. Thanks again to our great sponsor DFS Saipan and to PIC for hosting the event. All participants are reminded that there is an Awards Banquet on Monday May 29, 2000 at 6:00 p.m. at PIC.
