By Jean Malanum

UAE ITF JUNIORS. Filipino Tennielle Madis (left) poses with Russian partner Vlada Guryleva before their semifinal match in the 3rd UAE ITF Juniors at the TopSpin Sports Center in Dubai on Friday (Jan. 24, 2025). They prevailed over fourth seeds Anastasia Efremova and Alena Kharchenko of Russia, 6-4, 6-3. (Photo by Robert Angelo)  

MANILA – Philippine Tennis Academy player Tennnielle Madis and Vlada Guryleva of Russia marched to the girls’ doubles final Friday after beating fourth seeds Anastasia Efremova and Alena Kharchenko of Russia, 6-4, 6-3, in the UAE ITF Juniors at the TopSpin Sports Center in Dubai.

The top-ranked pair will be up against second seeds Pavla Sviglerova of Czech Republic and Inka Wawrzkiewicz of Poland, who survived Lila Grace Bachour of France and Vittoria Vignolini of Italy, 4-6, 6-1, 10-8, in the other semifinal match.

Meanwhile, third-seeded Madis suffered a 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-4 loss to No. 6 Alexandra Malova of Russia in their quarterfinal match.

Malova will face No. 2 Pavla Sviglerova of the Czech Republic, who rallied past No. 7 Arina Malygina of Russia, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, in the semis.

Top seed Guryleva also secured a Final Four berth following a 6-1, 7-5 win over Ui Su Jeong of South Korea.

Guryleva, who reached a career-high No. 154 in the ITF Junior rankings last Jan. 20, will meet compatriot Alina Botasheva, who beat Xinie Geng of China, 6-3, 4-0.

“Tenny played very well in both singles and doubles. She just needs more exposure in big tournaments. She only started in July last year so sometimes, she’s struggling in crucial points,” commented PTA head coach Robert Angelo, a SEAG medalist and former Davis Cupper.

The 17-year-old Madis from M’lang, North Cotabato bagged her first doubles title this year in Fujairah, also in UAE, two weeks ago. She teamed up with South Korean Ui Su Jeong.

Last week, Madis and Guryleva fell to third seeds Alisa Terentyeva and Kharchenko, 6-4, 1-6, 11-9, in the semifinal.

Tenentyeva went on to win the singles title after beating Guryleva, 6-3, 6-1, in the final.

Madis, No. 207 in both singles and doubles in the world juniors rankings, bagged six singles and five doubles titles last year. Four of her doubles titles were with PTA teammate Stefi Marithe Aludo in the J60 events in Manila, China, Thailand and Sri Lanka. (PNA)