Japanese gain in rain-hit Phinma-PSC opener

Japanese No. 4 Kazuki Shimizu and compatriot Tomoya Ikeda came away with a pair of lopsided victories over their respective rivals yesterday to cruise to the second round of the rain-marred opener of the Phinma-PSC International Juniors Tennis Championships Week 1 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Shimizu overpowered Thai qualifier Pawin Jirapoomdaje and claimed a 6-0, 6-1 romp, the same scoreline posted by Ikeda in ousting Indonesian Giorgio Soemarno before organizers of the Grade 4 ITF (International Tennis Federation) 18-under category event sponsored by the Phinma Group of Companies and the Philippine Sports Commission called off plays due to non-stop rain.