AFTER her stellar performances in the first three stages, Cebuana netter Hanna Grace Espinosa absorbed a shocking loss against fourth-ranked Frances Angelica Santiago 5-7, 4-6 in the semifinal round of the Taking Life Healthy (TLH) Women’s Open on Friday night at the TLH Wellness Center in Valenzuela City.
The second-ranked Espinosa came into the match as the heavy favorite after she easily disposed of Jovelyn Magcosta 6-0, 6-0, April Santos 6-1, 6-1 and Arellano University Lady Chief (AU) product Jella Jade Capadocia, 6-2, 6-3, in the early rounds.
However, things went awry for Espinosa as she played catch-up all throughout against Santiago.
Espinosa managed to force a tie late in the first set but that was the closest she could get as Santiago, a prize netter of Quezon City, pulled away to ice the win.
Santiago thus forged a championship duel against the top-ranked Maia Bernadette Balce.