PHL’s Alcantara, Gonzales Reach Quarterfinals in China for 2017 Australian Open Asia Pacific

Filipinos Francis Casey Alcantara and Ruben Gonzales downed separate rivals on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the 2017 Australian Open Asia-Pacific Wildcard Play-off tournament at the Zhuhai Hengqin International Tennis Center in Guangdong, China.

Alcantara eliminated fourth seed Zhe Li of China, 7-6 (2), 6-4 to advance against fifth seed Prajnesh Gunneswaran of India.

Gunneswaran bounced back from a first-set loss to prevail over Chinese Xiao Gong, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Gonzales joined Alcantara in the next round after posting a 6-3, 6-4 victory over sixth seed Korean Soonwoo Kwon.

Gonzales will be up against second seed Korean Duckhee Lee, who struggled past Chinese Xi Qi, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.

Meanwhile, top seed Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan cruised into the next round following a 6-2, 6-0 win Chinese Sun Fajing.

Istomin will next face Chinese Hao Wu, who was leading 1-0 when seventh seeded opponent and compatriot Xin Gao retired.

Third seed Chinese Di Wu stamped his class over Taiwanese Tsung-Hua Yang, 6-2, 6-3, to advance in the quarterfinals against No. 8 Indian N. Vijay Sundar Prashanth, a 7-6 (6), 6-0 winner over Chinese Zhao-Tai Li.

Top players from the Asia-Pacific region are competing in this tournament to earn a wild card in the main draw of next year’s Australian Open scheduled Jan. 16-29 in Melbourne. (PNA)CVL/JEAN T. MALANUM/EDS