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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alcantara out to boost doubles rankings in ATP events

Alcantara out to boost doubles rankings in ATP events

Published Jan 8, 2025 05:29 am

At A Glance

  • Doubles specialist Francis Casey Alcantara is scheduled to compete in a string of high-profile Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Challenger events in the coming months, including the ongoing Bangkok Open 2 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Top Filipino doubles player Francis Casey Alcantara is scheduled to compete in a string of high-profile Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Challenger events in the coming months, including the ongoing Bangkok Open 2 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

francis casey alcantara.jpg
File Photo (Francis Casey Alcantara Facebook)

Alcantara, a former Grand Slam champion in the boys doubles, is teaming up with American Evan King as they go up against the Indian pair of Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Saketh Myeni in the opening round of this ATP Challenger 75 event that stakes a total prize fund of $100,000.

The tournament serves as Alcantara’s first event of the season as he aims for the elusive doubles title in the Challenger Tour.

So far, the two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games bronze winner has won 25 doubles crowns in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures Tour since 2015.

Alcantara, 32, is currently ranked No. 227 in the ATP doubles and went as high as no. 162 early last year -- thanks to three ITF doubles titles in Thailand and India with partners Maximus Jones of Thailand and Christopher Rungkat of Indonesia.

Seeking to boost his rankings, the Cebuana Lhuillier tennis ambassador is also set to compete in another Challenger 75 event in Bangkok from Jan. 13 to 19, followed by a series of ATP Challenger 100 tournaments in Chennai, Bahrain, New Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru in the coming weeks.

Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier expressed his excitement on Alcantara's upcoming journey.

"It's thrilling to see Niño (Alcantara) compete at such a high level. His dedication and hard work have been exemplary, and I'm confident that all his preparations will bear fruit. We're fully behind him as he brings pride to the Philippines," Lhuillier said.

Related Tags

Association of Tennis Professionals Cebuana Lhuillier Francis Casey Alcantara
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