Alcantara, Patrombon lose to seeded foes

Filipino netters Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon bowed out to top seeds Jason Kubler of Australia and Hungary’s Mate Zsiga in the 46th Astrid Bowl Charleroi, Belgium International Juniors Championships. The world No.2 ranked junior Kubler pulled off a 6-4, 6-1, triumph over the 46th ranked Alcantara; while the second seed and world No. 11 Zsiga posted a 6-1, 6-3, decision against Patrombon, 42nd in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) rankings, in the Round of 32. The Filipino netters desperately tried to match their seeded rivals’ game and even managed to engage them in long rallies. But unforced errors pushed them out of their comfort zone. Kubler and Zsiga drew opening round byes while both Pinoy netters played in the first round. Patrombon even pulled off a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Barbados’ Darian King, a grueling three-hour long match that could have slowed down the 17-year-old netter’s game against Zsiga. “Our strategy was to press and attack. The strategy was right and Zsiga was just retrieving all of Jeson’s balls defensively. But to keep on attacking on clay takes tremendous physical strength and that is Zsiga’s advantage since he had a bye in the first round while Jeson is still recovering from his marathon match in the first round," said coach Manny Tecson. Tecson added that he expects Patrombon to beat Zsiga should they meet again in another tournament since his ward already knows the Hungarian netter’s playing style. Alcantara and Patrombon will compete in the French Open Juniors Championship next week. “It’s not just about winning or losing here in the circuit but it is always about performance. When you know that your player is playing with confidence and getting closer to the top players, this is a good signal that anything can happen and everything is possible," said Tecson. – GMANews.TV