There was no doubt that Alberto Lim Jr. gave it his all—he came so close to pulling off a huge upset, in fact.
The fist-pumping and big-hitting 17-year-old ace blew a 2-0 set lead and succumbed to cramps to yield to David Agung Susanto of Indonesia, 3-6, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-1 (retired), Friday in their Davis Cup opening singles match at Philippine Columbian Association indoor courts.
“We are very proud of him, we didn’t expect him to play at that level,” said non-playing team captain Karl Santamaria.
Ruben Gonzales quickly equalized for the Philippines after drubbing Indonesian No. 2 Aditya Hari Sasongko, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4, in the second opening singles.
Lim, stricken by cramps in both legs, wasn’t able to get up from his seat. Ten minutes later, he was carried out by the coaching staff still seated on his chair.
The debuting Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cupper, emotionally and physically exhausted, didn’t grant interviews.
“I feel that he played very well in the first and second sets but I knew he couldn’t play that way for five sets,” said Susanto, the 25-year-old top player of Indonesia ranked world No. 739.
Lim, the country’s brightest hope, stormed out of the gates with guns blazing, grinding winners from the baseline, charging Susanto’s serves and flinging forehand winners down the line.
But that was before Susanto broke him in the fourth game of the third for a 3-1 lead.
“Slowly I gained my confidence after that break,” said Susanto, who next held for 4-1 that swung the momentum to his side for good.
And slowly, Lim lost the electricity he showed moments before and was seen trying to stretch his calves.
Treat Huey and Francis Casey Alcantara will battle Anthony Susanto and Sunu-Wahyu Trijati hoping to grab the lead in Saturday’s doubles of the Asia/Oceania Group 2 tie.
“We remain optimistic and confident that our players will give their best and win this tie,” said PH team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier.