Sunday, August 17, 2008 Siso avoids shutout with doubles title
SALLY Mae Siso is making the most out of the four months she has left in the Girls 14 division.
Although she lost in the singles event of the Asian Tennis Federation Girls Under 14 competition, Siso refused to go home empty-handed as the Cebuana tennis princess and partner Jasmin Tan Ho collared the top plum in the doubles competition yesterday at the Subic Bay International Tennis Center.
Siso and Ho dominated another Filipino duo Marian Capadocia and Akiko de Guzman, 6-1, 6-2 for the title. The duo had trounced Patricia Ortega and Tamitga Nguyen, 6-1, 6-3, in the semis the other day.
Siso had faltered in her bid in the singles event failing to capitalize on homecourt edge losing in her quarterfinal match to a Hawaiian player. She made up for it in the consolation round winning over Alla Mrinallini of India, 4-1, 4-1.
Taking the doubles title and winding up fifth over-all in the singles competition boosted her chances of racking up more points, needed to improve her standing in the Asian rankings.
As of the moment, Siso is ranked 36th in the Girls under 14 division. She has four months left to at least breach the Top 20 mark, before leaving the age group. She only needs to join more competitions in order to do so.
Her mother, Sally, a single mom, hopes that she could find the resources that will allow her to give Sally Mae the needed exposure for her daughter. Sally Mae is already considered the country’s toughest in her division but does not have the opportunities to travel like the other players in her division. (MCB)
