China’s Li turns back Italian ace

CHINESE Li Zhe stopped Italian Lorenzo Giustino with his solid baseline game, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, yesterday to advance to the second round of the $75,000 ATP Challenger Philippine Open at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila.

The last man into the main draw after getting cut in the Australian Open qualifying, Li powered his way through Giustino’s grinding style, going two breaks up in the third set before holding on for the win.

“It was very hot, but I tried my best with every single shot,” said the 29-year-old Li, who arrived here last Friday. “I just followed everything my coach said.”

Working behind heavy forehand shots, Li went up 4-1 in the last set as the Italian grew increasingly frustrated and tired from the humid afternoon.

The Philippines, which has four wild cards in the main draw, opens its campaign in the first-ever ATP Challenger meet here through Alberto Lim Jr. late yesterday. The 16-year-old was to face French veteran David Guez, who is ranked 175th in the world.

“It’s great to see all these world-class players here on local soil,” said Philippine Tennis Association chair Jean Henri Lhuillier. “We want to see how the present crop of Filipinos will fare against the field.”

Austrian Maximillian Neuchrist and Indian Divij Sharan also barged into the second round of doubles after a 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 win over American James Cerretani and Japanese Toshihide Matsui.

The world No. 262 Giustino, using speed and cunning, broke back in the third set for 4-2 and then held serve held for 4-3. But Li chased a drop shot in the next game and dumped it deep down the line to hold for 5-3.