By Jun Atienza

JEDDAH — The side shows at the ongoing 9th Albaik Tennis Challenge has come to a close, with unexpected results. In order to attract more participation of more nationalities and include promotion of tennis for kids to hone in their talents, ASTEC added the singles event for senior and junior categories.

In the Under-14 category, in which 12 kids participated on a round-robin tie-break format during elimination rounds, France Amor Idjao emerged champion after defeating Khadijah 8-2 in the semis, and Fares Khoja 8-1 in a lopsided final.

In another junior category 10-Under, after a round-robin of five players, Faisal Enany and Manal Patel advanced as the top-two with the former claiming the crown after defeating Manal 15-0 in super tie-break in the final.

In the seniors Division A2 Open singles, which was participated by over 16 players of various nationalities, 31-year-old Spanish national Manuel Salvador beat Filipino hopeful Aris Feliciano 6-3, 6-2 to claim the championship trophy and cash prize.

En route to the final, Salvador, who was a former ATP-ranked singles player, also defeated Asad Khan 6-3, 6-1. While on the other side of the semifinals Aris Feliciano beat Gio Morte to advance to the final, via third-set super tie-break (12-10), after splitting the first and second sets (4-6, 7-6).

Encouraged by the successful participation of various nationalities in the singles event, including the junior categories, ASTEC expects to include these categories in future events of the tournament.

This ongoing tennis event is presented and managed by ASTEC (Association of Tennis Clubs in Jeddah), under the chairmanship of Bernie Soguilon, in partnership with Albaik Food Systems Co. Ltd., with other co-sponsors Sports Track, Vista Land, Sky Freight Forwarders and TFC (the Filipino Channel).