PPS Alonte junior tennis draws record field

CLOSE to 300 youngsters from all over brace for fierce duels in various age group categories when the PPS-PEPP Rep. Marlyn AlonteNaguiat national juniors tennis championships unfolds Wednesday at the Brent Tennis Center in Biñan, Laguna. All but one in nine age-group divisions will feature 32-player draws, underscoring the tremendous response of those bidding in the 10-unisex all the way to the premier 18-and-under class of the Group 1 tournament presented by Dunlop. Only the girls’ 18-U will have 16 entries but the battle for top honors and ranking points is expected to be tight as in the rest of the competition.

To accommodate the record number of 272 entries in the event serving as part of the country’s longest talent-search, playing times and days have been extended, according to organizer Jonathan Bernardo, also the person-in-charge of the PPS-PEPP Committee on Tennis in the Calabarzon area. Quezon City’s Chloe Mercado, fresh from her feat in the Lanao del Norte swing of the nationwide circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro, gains the No. 2 seeding as she gears up for a title collision with No. 1 Jane Diaz with Sandra Bautista and Alexi Jarata both seeking to crowd the fancied bets in the centerpiece girls’ division.

Kale Cyd Villamar, on the other hand, is all primed for battle with the likes of Vince Serna and Kendrick Bona as the Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte bet takes the No. 3 seeding in the boys’ 18-U play that also includes Ariel Cabaral, Reign Maravilla, siblings Frand and France Dilao and Marben Alimarin.

Meanwhile, the juniors circuit moves to Sucat, Paranaque next for the Mayor Eric Olivarez National on July 25-29 at the Olivarez Sports Center while Palawan will host the next stop on Aug. 2-13 that will also feature the Puerto Princesa City Open.

For listup and details, contact tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

LONDON—Carlos

Alcaraz believes his “dream”

Wimbledon triumph against Novak Djokovic can signal a changing of the guard in men’s tennis.

Alcaraz ended Djokovic’s run of four successive Wimbledon titles with an epic 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 victory in a final for the ages on Sunday.

The 20-year-old wore down Djokovic over four hours and 42 minutes of unrelenting drama on Centre Court, clinching his first Wimbledon crown and the second major title of his career.

After two decades of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal dominating the sport, Alcaraz says his victory could be the start of a new era.

“It’s a dream. I’m 20. I didn’t experience many moments like this.

Making history like I did today, it’s the happiest m oment of my life,” Alcaraz said.

“Beating Novak at his best on this stage, making history, being the guy to beat him after 10 years unbeaten on this court is amazing for me.

“It’s great for the new generation to see me beating him and make them think they are capable of doing it as well. It’s great for me, and the young players as well.”

When Djokovic won his first major at the Australian Open in 2008, Alcaraz was still three months shy of his fifth birthday.

But with Federer retired and Nadal close to the end of his glittering career, Alcaraz has emerged as Djokovic’s biggest challenger.

Alcaraz, who won his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open last year, has replaced the Serb at the top of the world rankings and his Wimbledon victory may hasten the emergence of a new generation to replace the “Big Three”.

“Beating Novak, winning Wimbledon is something I dreamed about since I start playing tennis,” Alcaraz said.

Djokovic was aiming for a recordequalling eighth Wimbledon title and could also have matched Margaret

Court’s all-time mark of 24 Grand Slam singles crowns.

Instead, the 36-year-old leaves Wimbledon licking his wounds after beating over-powered by the relentless Alcaraz.

In an ominous warning to Djokovic, Alcaraz said his All England Club win can provide a foundation for more success when they meet again.

‘I grew up a lot’

“Probably before today I didn’t think I was ready to beat Djokovic in five sets