Lim cops twin titles at ITF 14-Under tiff

MANILA, Philippines – Albert Lim Jr. lived up to his top billing as he outclassed seventh seed Nitin Kumar Sinha of India, 6-2, 6-2, to complete a rare sweep of the two  ITF 14-Under titles at the Rizal Tennis Center today.

A day after making short work of a taller, No. 6 Charles Roberts of Thailand, 6-1, 6-0, in Thursday's rain-delayed semis, Lim, 13, was as merciless and swift on this one as he bundled out Sinha in just almost an hour to snare the two crowns staked in this tournament dubbed as the Ajay Pathak Memorial Cup in honor of the late former ITF and Philta official.

"I'm happy I didn't disappoint my coach because he was encouraging me to do good here not just gain experience," said Lim, who was referring to Manny Tecson, who coached and trained the likes of former world junior Top 10 player Jeson Patrombon.

It was a scintillating performance by Lim as the Tarlac-borne, Tondo, Manila native never dropped a single set in eight matches he played on his way to copping his first two international singles titles this year.

Before Roberts and Sinha, Lim, who also steered the Letran Squires to their second NCAA high school title in a row while emerging the back-to-back MVP, rode roughshod over No. 5 Vashisht Cheruku of India, 6-1, 6-2, in the quarters; and Nguyen Dac Tien of Vietnam, 6-1, 6-1, in the second round.

Lim drew an opening round bye.

Lim, who partnered with countryman Jan Godfrey Seno for the second straight week, though failed to duplicate his singles feat in the doubles after his sweep bid was nipped in the bud following a heartbreaking 5-7, 1-6 defeat at the hands of Sinah and Thai Vorachon Rakpuangchon to settle for second place.

"It happens, you win some, you lose some. The important thing for me now is to keep on training hard and not give up," said Lim.

Lim, who also won an ITF juniors tournament the country hosted on this same venue in November last year, will next focus on the Mitsubishi tournament set this week where some of the best junior players in the world are also coming.

In girls' play, No. 5 Mihika Yadav pulled the rug from top seed Himani Mor of India, the Week One winner, with a shock 6-0, 6-2 triumph to snatch the title.