Pinoys up vs tough international field in ATP Philippine Open

MANILA, Philippines – The Filipino netters set out against a crack international field today, hoping to spring some surprises in the opener of the ATP Challenger Philippine Open at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Young ace Alberto Lim Jr. takes on David Guez of France today, seeking  to get past the world No. 175 and lead the local bets’ drive in the $75,000 tourney, the biggest international ranking tournament held in the country thus far.

Fellow wildcards and Davis Cuppers Jeson Patrombon, Francis Casey Alcantara and Ruben Gonzales are also in the fold, each bracing for a tough outing against a world-class field.

“I will play my usual game, and look at it as preparation for other tournaments like the Australian Open (juniors),” said Lim, No. 12 in the current world juniors ranking.

Lim, 16, will be facing a rival twice his age who reached No. 116 in the world six years ago.

Patrombon, 22, will also have his hands full against fifth-seed and world No. 127 Kimmer Coppejans of Belgium. But the former world No. 9 in juniors, remains upbeat of his chances.

“My mindset is to try and win every point, every set and every match then if I win I move on to the next match,” said the Iligan-native Patrombon.

The 21-year-old Coppejans, who moved to No. 97 last year, used to play in the country during his junior years and once played Patrombon in doubles.

Gonzales, meanwhile, clashes with seventh-seeded Sijsling Igor of The Netherlands,  28, who just won a Challenger meet in Brescia, Italy while Alcantara, the 23-year-old former Australian Open juniors doubles champion, collides with 29-year-old Amir Weintraub of Israel, ranked 207th in the world.