Veteran internationalist Marian Capadocia defeated Clarisse Patrimonio, 6-3, 6-3, to capture the women’s singles’ title in the 2018 Makati Open tennis championship on Tuesday at the Makati Sports Club.
Capadocia, the country’s No.1 netter in both the Philippine Tennis Association and the Unified Tennis Philippines rankings, sustained her fiery form as she never lost a single match throughout her campaign to book her fourth title in the tournament and sixth so far this year.
“Steady lang po ang laro ko. Marami ding errors, pero mabilis naman akong makabawi. Iba rin ‘yung lakas ng mga karibal ko, especially si Clarisse (Patrimonio), pero nakakasabay naman,” said the 23-year-old Arellano University athletics scholar. “Ready na rin po ako, pero hoping pa rin ako na makapag-train pa sa abroad bago ang Asian Games sa August.”
The Philippine Sports Commission has already earmarked P30 million for tennis’ Asian Games preparation, but still has no available endorsement for Capadocia’s training abroad since the Philta has failed to submit its budgetary requirement for the athletes’ international training.
After claiming her first title (doubles) in the ITF Women’s circuit in Bahrain last March, Capadocia won the Brookside Open last April 17 in Cainta, Rizal, demolished her rivals in the PCA Open last April 20 and reigned supreme in the Pinamalayan Open in Mindoro.
Capadocia, ranked No.976 in the Women’s Tennis Association doubles’ ranking, also shone in the PSC-sponsored Philippine National Games in Cebu City recently, winning both the singles and doubles event.
“I thank God for the strength and to my family which always stands by my side. Sila ang lakas na nagbibigay sa akin para laging lumaban,” said Capadocia, who made it to the championship round of the tournament for the fourth straight year after beating Shaira Hope Rivera in the semifinals, 6-3-6-1.
Patrimonio subdued Aileen Rogan, 6-2, 6-0, in the other semifinal match.
In the men’s division, SEA Games veteran Jason Patrombon overcame a shaky start to beat Johnny Arcilla, 4-6, 6-0, 6-4.