Lim prevails, Patrombon falls

The Philippines drew contrasting results from AJ Lim and Jeson Patrombon yesterday to settle for a 1-1 tie against Indonesia in the opening day of their Asian Oceania Group II Davis Cup tie in Jakarta, Indonesia yesterday.

Lim, the country’s top junior netter, hardly flexed his muscles as he walloped debuting M. Althaf Dhaifullah, 6-3, 6-2, to give the Filipinos the needed lead before Patrombon succumbed to veteran David Susanto, 6-2, 7-5, in the second singles.

The results put today’s doubles match into a must-win affair since a victory would give the PH players the needed momentum heading into the reverse singles matches on the same day in this best-of-five meeting.

The tandem of Francis Casey Alcantara and Jurence Mendoza clash with Justin Barkin and Susanto at 10 a.m., followed by the first reverse singles match pitting Susanto and Lim, and the second reverse singles between Patrombon and Dhaifullah.

Lineup changes, however, can be made an hour before the start of the doubles match.

Lim dominated Dhaifullah throughout and won four break points to set the tone for the Filipinos in this two-day affair, while posting four aces against six double faults.

It was Lim’s second singles victory in three appearances since joining the PH team last year.

Patrombon, despite playing in nine ties, failed to overcome Susanto’s wider experience by dropping five service games.