AJ Lim powers through to quarterfinals of SEA Games tennis, Patrimonio bows out

Former UAAP Most Valuable Player AJ Lim opened the second day of the 30th Southeast Asian Games tennis tournament on a winning note for the Philippines, Monday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Complex.

The Tarlac native fended off the challenge of Singapore’s Shaheed Alam and took the win, 7-6, 6-4, to move into the quarterfinals of the men’s singles.

Lim had to come back in both sets down a game, 4-5, in the first set and 2-4 in the second, but the veteran internationalist was pleased to have the hometown crowd behind him.

“It is just me getting some energy from them because I feel like it helps a lot when you tried to push them and hyped them up. They give you strength and energy at the same time because they support you,” the 20-year-old said.

In the women’s singles, Clarice Patrimonio bowed out of medal contention after Vietnam’s Savanna Ly Nguyen pulled off a massive 6-2, 6-2, over the former in the quarterfinals of the women’s singles.

The two mixed doubles pairs of the country are into the last eight later on Monday, but have a heavy task of taking on the top-seeded squads from Indonesia and Thailand.

Denise Dy and Treat Huey take on the top-ranked tandem Aldila Sutjiadi and Christopher Rungkat of Indonesia. Meanwhile, Nino Alcantara and Khim Iglupas battles second-seeds Tamarine Tanasugarn and Sanchai Ratiwatana.

Jeson Patrombon already booked his place in the quarterfinals of the men’s singles match on Monday after a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Laos’ Sataporn Simmalavong.