Now world’s 27th, PH’s Lim targets top 10 of ITF Juniors

ALBERTO Lim Jr. RICHARD A. REYES

Alberto Lim Jr., fresh from his double kill in Grade 1 tennis juniors tournament in China, has breached the top 30 in the world at 27th based on the recent International Tennis Federation rankings.

The 16-year-old Lim, known for his solid forehand and an even more formidable fighting spirit, Wednesday said he will try to break into the top 10 by year-end, something the country hasn’t seen in a long while.

READ: Lim pulls off twin victories in China ITF Jr tilt

“I got the momentum, and I think after tournaments in Canada and the United States and the US Open, I can break top 10 before the year ends,” said the Tarlac lad who started the year ranked 346th.

Yet despite the rankings, his highest ever, Lim said he didn’t make the cut-off for the US Open acceptance. So he will still have to go through the qualifying rounds of the last Grand Slam event of the season.

READ: Lim quits school, chases ‘Slam’ dream

“Once you reach top 30 you’re almost sure of getting to the main draw, so it’s too bad it (new rankings release) didn’t make the cut-off time, but that’s still a very good news for me,” added Lim who is back in Manila competing in the Olivarez Open.

Handled by renowned coach Martin Misa, Lim will fly to the US in two weeks’ time to compete in Maryland on Aug. 24-29 and the Canadian Open on Aug. 30 to Sept. 5, before his US Open stint.

He is hoping to become the first Filipino to make top 10 in juniors after Jeson Patrombon notched 9th in 2010 after making the boys singles quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

“I’m not very much interested in the rankings, I just want to get to the main draw of the Grand Slams,” said Lim.

Lim has won three singles and two doubles crowns in top-level ITF tournaments this year which allowed him to propel to the world rankings.