Lim, Patrombon get 1st crack at Indonesians

Philippines’ top junior netter AJ Lim takes the first crack at Indonesia when he clashes with Althaf Dhaifullah in the opening singles of the Asia Oceania Zone Group II Davis Cup at the Gelora Buong Karno Tennis Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Match is set at 10 a.m. with the 18year-old Lim aiming to draw first blood in the best-of-five, two-day affair against a fellow junior player.

It will not be the first time that Lim is tasked to set the tone for the PH Cuppers, and hopefully he’d be able to pull off a different outcome from the last time.

Not only is Lim now packed with more international experience, but also the singles matches are now reduced from best-of-five to best-of-three sets.

In last year’s Group II quarterfinal, Lim faced another Indonesian in David Susanto, only to retire in the deciding fifth frame due to cramps.

Also seeking to give the squad a strong start is Jeson Patrombon, who is scheduled to meet David Susanto in the second singles at 12 noon.

Patrombon, 25, hopes experience will anchor his performance after playing for the team since 2011.

But Susanto also boasts off the same familiarity, having been with the Indonesian squad since 2010.

Sunday’s crucial doubles match pit Francis Casey Alcantara and Jurence Mendoza against Justin Barki and David Susanto, followed by the reverse first singles match between Lim and Susanto, and the second reverse singles between Patrombon and Dhaifullah.