Consider Kryshana Brazal and Gaby Zoleta as among the fast-rising female contenders in the Philippine age-group tennis circuit.
The two started the year on a bright note when they claimed separate titles in the 29th Andrada Cup Age Group Tennis Tournament.
A Palarong Pambansa standout, Brazal was stretched to enormous limit against a younger opponent in the 14-under girls finals.
But the 13-year-old Brazal’s efforst were not wasted after she pulled off a 6-2, 6-1 triumph over Lucena bet Angeline Alcala.
“Masaya po ako sa panalo. Pero, nakakapagod din kasi mas bata ang kalaban,” said Brazal in winning the crown at the end of their encounter at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Brazal, who is preparing to play in the National Capital Region meet of the Palarong Pambansa, struggled past 2-all deadlock in the first set.
The 5’1 Brazal, who was part of the NCR team that won the team championship in the Palaro last year, finally got into the groove with her baseline game, taking the next four points in the first set.
The 8th grader from Pasig then played a waiting game and patiently kept the 12-year old-Alcala at bay with her long baseline returns.
Kryshana’s proud grandmother Adela Brazal, a retired chief results recording official in the Palarong Pambansa, was around to watch her granddaughter fight it out some more in the second set.
The young Brazal pulled away with a 4-0 lead and never relinquished her advantage from there.
On the other hand, a lot will be in store for Gaby Zoleta after she claimed the 16-under girls’ plum with her 6-1, 6-3 win over Patricia Lim.
She is upbeat about making it to the national under-16 girls’ team that will be sent to the Junior Fed Cup from March 12 to 17 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
“It was tough playing against my opponents in the semifinals. But I’m happy I made it’ said the 15-year-old Zoleta.
Last year, she was with three young girls who proved how tough they can get when confronted by tougher opponents in the international scene.
Back then, the team of Carmencita Carlos, Alexandra Eala and Zoleta showed impeccable skills when they powered the Philippine national under-14 girls team to a four-game sweep in New Delhi, India.