Local bet Mendoza rules Phinma jr netfest

Make way for the newest rising star of Philippine junior tennis.

Jurence Mendoza outlasted top seed Nuttanon Kadchapanan, 7-5, 6-2, to rule the Phinma International Junior Tennis Championship Week 2 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center Saturday. Mendoza’s triumph ended the local bets’ month-long frustration in three International Tennis Federation (ITF)-sanctioned events. The Filipinos went empty-handed in the ICTSI and PLDT-Smart ITF events last month, and in Week 1 of the tournament. But the local bets had a strong showing in the Week 2 event. Clarice Patrimonio, the top seed in the girls’ event, made it as far as the semifinal round but suffered a 5-7, 5-7 setback at the hands of China’s Siyu Qin. Mendoza, however, made sure the Filipinos will have a big reason to celebrate. He was able to adjust to the game of the power-serving Thai to win the opening set. The pride of Olongapo National High School was able to assert himself in the second set to clinch the title. – Rey Joble/JVP/KY, GMANews.TV