Patrombon goes down in Sokor tiff

MANILA, Philippines - Ben Wagland of Australia ended Filipino Jeson Patrombon’s title hopes in the Seogwipo Asia/Oceania Closed Championships, pulling off a 6-3, 7-5 victory in the semifinals in Jeju-do, South Korea last Saturday.

With the loss, the 17-year-old Patrombon settled for 80 ranking points for reaching the semis. He also gained 30 ranking points after he and his Kiwi partner Jaden Grinter of New Zealand made it to quarterfinals of the doubles event.

Patrombon, the country’s highest ranked junior netter who is No. 33 in the world, tried to hold off Wagland but eventually succumbed to the Aussie’s power serves and crisp volleys.

Patrombon, meanwhile, hopes to do better in Mexico when he competes in the XXIV Yucatan World Cup beginning Nov. 22.