PH bets fall in ATP Challenger

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino bets AJ Lim, Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon fell like dominoes against super strong foreign college in the opening round of the $75,000 ATP Challenger Philippine Open at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center Tuesday.

Lim, one of the four Filipino wild card entries here, was the first to fall, losing to unseeded French David Guez, 4-6, 0-6, Monday night in this tournament sponsored by the Phl Sports Commission, Phl Tennis Association and Cebuana Lhuillier's Jean Henri Lhuillier.

Alcantara and Patrombon followed suit after the two were shown the door by World No. 207 Amir Weintraub of Israel and fifth seed Kimer Coppejans of Belgium via 1-6, 3-6 and 2-6, 2-6 defeats, respectively.

The stinging defeats left Ruben Gonzales as the last Filipino standing as his opening round duel with Dutch Igor Sijsling was still being played at press time.

Patrombon, who is ranked 1,112th in the world, later said it was one of the toughest matches he played.

"It was tough," said Patrombon, who is now training in Chinese Taipei.

Coppejans, for his part, was impressed with Patrombon's speed and scrappiness.

"He's fast," said Coppejans of Patrombon.

Also advancing were top seed Luca Vanni of Italy, who smashed Frederico Ferrerira Silva of Portugal, 6-3, 6-2, and veteran Davis Cupper Go Soeda of Japan, who overcame Roberto Marcora of Italy, 7-6 (4), 6-1.

Spaniard Oriol Roca Batalla, for his part, pulled the rug from under eighth pick Somdev Devvarman of India, 7-5, 6-7 (0), 7-6 (4), Monday night to likewise advance to round-of-16.

Dunlop is the official ball, Chris Sports the official stringer and TV5 official broadcaster of the meet.