MANILA – Filipino tennis player Francis Casey Alcantara and Indonesian partner Christopher Rungkat lost to Japan’s Kokoro Isomura and Yusuke Takahashi, 6-4, 6-1, in the quarterfinals of the Amman Mineral Men’s World Tennis Championships in Bali, Indonesia.
Isomura and Takahashi advanced to the semifinal round against compatriot Koki Matsuda and Ecuadorian Patricio Alvarado, who secured a 7-6 (1), 5-7, 11-9 victory over the top-seeded pair, Switzerland’s Luca Castelnuovo and Japan’s Kaichi Luchida.
Wild card entrants Alexander Chang of the USA and Anthony Susanto of Indonesia also progressed to the next round after defeating the fourth-seeded duo of Turkey’s Yanki Erel and India’s Karan Singh, 1-6, 6-4, 10-7, in another quarterfinal match.
Chang and Susanto will face second-seeded Japanese pair Yusuke Kusuhara and Shunsuke Nakagawa, who triumphed over Italy’s Pietro Mugelli and America’s Michael Zhu, 6-3, 6-3.
Meanwhile, Alcantara is set to compete in another M25 tournament scheduled for August 11-17 at the Bali Beach Club.
Last week, Alcantara and South Korean partner Park Ui Sung fell to Isomura and Taisei Ichikawa in the finals, 5-7, 6-2, 5-10, at the ATP Challenger 50 President’s Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Alcantara, currently ranked No. 226 in ATP men’s doubles, is preparing for the Southeast Asia Games in Thailand from December 9-20.
The Cagayan de Oro native previously won the men’s doubles title with Filipino-American Ruben Gonzales at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games.
Amman Mineral Men’s World Tennis Championships
The **Amman Mineral Men’s World Tennis Championships** is a professional tennis tournament held in **Bali, Indonesia**, as part of the **ATP Challenger Tour**. Sponsored by **Amman Mineral**, a major Indonesian mining company, the event was first held in **2022** to promote tennis in Southeast Asia and provide a competitive platform for emerging players. The tournament features both singles and doubles matches and has quickly gained attention for its scenic location and high-level competition.
Bali Beach Club
Bali Beach Club is a popular seaside venue in Bali, Indonesia, known for its vibrant atmosphere, live music, and beachfront dining. While not a historical site, it reflects Bali’s modern tourism culture, offering a mix of relaxation and nightlife. The club capitalizes on Bali’s reputation as a tropical paradise, attracting visitors seeking sunsets, cocktails, and entertainment by the ocean.
ATP Challenger 50 President’s Cup
The **ATP Challenger 50 President’s Cup** is an annual professional men’s tennis tournament held in Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana), Kazakhstan. Established in 2007, it is part of the ATP Challenger Tour and serves as a key event for emerging players to gain ranking points. The tournament is played on outdoor hard courts and has helped promote tennis in Central Asia while contributing to the careers of future ATP stars.
Southeast Asia Games
The **Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games)** is a biennial multi-sport event involving athletes from 11 countries in Southeast Asia. Established in 1959 as the **Southeast Asian Peninsular Games**, it was originally created to promote regional cooperation and sports development. Over the years, the event has grown in scale and popularity, featuring a wide range of traditional and modern sports unique to the region.
2023 Cambodia SEA Games
The **2023 Cambodia SEA Games** (officially the **32nd Southeast Asian Games**) marked Cambodia’s first time hosting the regional multi-sport event, held from **May 5–17, 2023** in Phnom Penh and other cities. The games featured **36 sports** and highlighted Cambodian culture, with the opening ceremony showcasing traditional performances. Notably, Cambodia achieved its best-ever medal tally, winning **282 medals**, including 81 golds, as the country celebrated its growing presence in Southeast Asian sports.
