Patrombon plunges to action in US Open Jr bash

The unexpected change of schedule will hopefully give Filipino netter Jeson Patrombon the much needed break before plunging to action Monday (Tuesday in Manila) in the US Open Junior Tennis Championships at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center in Meadow, Corona Park, New York. The 17-year-old Patrombon, who also competed in the 1st Youth Olympic Games, will face Duilio Berreta of Peru. Berreta was one of the members of last year’s French Open Juniors doubles titlist and this spells trouble for the young Filipino netter. The match was supposed to be played Sunday (Monday in Manila) but was moved for another day. “God works in mysterious ways. This gives us time to work out on our game and to adjust to the time zone," said coach Manny Tecson. Patrombon and Tecson needed to withstand a tiring 25-hour flight to reach New York in time for the competition, which is a Grade A event to be held at a hard surface. The Filipino netter, who is currently ranked 44th in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Berreta, ranked seventh in the world, previously met in this year’s French Juniors Open with the Peruvian winning the match in three hard-fought sets. Tecson is confident his ward can go head-to-head against his crack opponent. “We are ready for the match. I know we have a chance and I’m telling Jeson to set his mind for a long fight," stressed Tecson. Before the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, Patrombon has competed in 15 other top tournaments that included other Grandslam events like the French Junior Open and the Wimbledon Juniors held in Great Britain. - RCJ, GMANews.TV