Draw a lift for Pinoy netters

PALEMBANG—Head coach Chris Cuarto is banking on a favorable draw for the Filipino athletes to boost their medal prospects as the 18th Asian Games tennis tournament unfolds on Monday with the singles competitions at the Jakabaring Sports City courts here.

“First of all we would we will trying for a good draw, which is our No. 1 goal,” said Cuarto, who has been at the helm of the Philippine squad since the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. “The Asian Games field is very tough, so having a favorable draw helps.”

Seeing action in men’s singles are Jeson Patrombon, Francis Casey “Nino” Alcantara, Alberto Lim Jr. while Fil-German Katharina Lehnart and Marian Jade Capadocia are competing in the women’s division and whose draws or pairings were held on Sunday.

Also kicking off on Monday is the mixed doubles round-of-32 with Alcantara partnering with Lehnart and Capadocia teaming up with either Lim or Patrombon.