Lim eyes another title in Mexico

MANILA, Philippines – Albert “AJ” Lim, the country’s rising tennis star, leaves for Mexico City tomorrow, raring to score a follow-up to his impressive doubles title win in an all-Asian tournament in South Korea last Saturday.

The youngest champion of the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open, the 16-year-old ace will be competing in two tournaments in Mexico starting with the Abierto Juvenil Mexicano tournament on Nov. 14-20.

Lim, a protégée of Wilson International, is now ranked No. 19 in the latest International Tennis Federation (ITF) rankings following his doubles triumph with Korean Chan-Yeong Oh.

“It’s a tough tournament but I like the challenge of facing taller and experienced players,” said Lim, who had only four days of preparation going to South Korea after being hospitalized due to dengue.

After the Abierto Juvenil Mexicano tournament, Lim is also scheduled to see action in the XXIX Yucatan Cup, a Grade 1 tournament in the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán on Nov. 22-28.

After Mexico, Lim will fly to Florida, USA to vie in two more tournaments hoping to pull off a surprise against a tough field as he intends to break into top 10 before the year ends.

Lim, handled by veteran coach Martin Misa, will compete in the Eddy Herr ITF championship, a level tournament from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6, and the Orange Bowl Championship also in Florida.