Patrimonio, Mendoza make Phinma jr tennis semis

With some of their compatriots falling one by one like dominoes, top seed Clarice Patrimonio and Jurence Mendoza brought their A-grade games in Thursday’s quarterfinal matches in the Phinma International Junior Tennis Championship at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Patrimonio, the top seed of this tournament presented by Phinma and ITF Grand Slam Development Program, walked the tightrope before winning over Tanaporn Thongsing, 7-5, 6-4. The daughter of four-time Philippine Basketball Association MVP Alvin Patrimonio advanced to the semifinal round of the girls division where she faces Siyu Qin of China. The third-ranked Siyu showed her championship form, blanking Natalia Khaniejo, 6-0, 6-0, to secure a Final Four berth. Mendoza, on the other hand, had an easier time disposing of No.5 seed Tas Suwanasang of Thailand, 6-2, 6-1, in a match that lasted for only a little over an hour. One of the four local male players given a wildcard entry in this tournament, Mendoza didn’t drop a serve and was able to break the hard-hitting Thai’s service five times. Mendoza will face Yu-Cheng Yu of Chinese Taipei, who demolished Muhamed Nazim Khan of Indonesia, 6-3, 6-1. But Tamitha Nguyen, another bright prospect for the Philippines, lost her quarterfinals match to Sanae Ota of Japan, 6-4, 6-1. Also winning their quarterfinals matches were Desirae Krawcyzk of the United States in the girls division and Nuttanon Kadchapanan of Thailand and Tang-Chih Chun of Chinese-Taipei in the boys division. Krawcyzk ousted Week 1 champion Kathinka Von Deichmann, 6-4, 6-0; Kadchapanan needed three sets before winning over Khoo Er Yang of Malaysia, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1; and Tang dumped Winhu Adi Nigroho of Indonesia. – KY, Rey Joble, GMANews.TV