JESON PATROMBON, who faces a tough field in the boys’ singles, drew a former world No. 1 as partner in the doubles of the first ever Youth Olympic Games which started last night in Singapore.
The 17-year-old from Iligan City, ranked 42nd in the world, will take on China’s top player Boen Ouyang in the opening round of the singles today at the Kellang Tennis Center.
Patrombon will later team up with former world No. 1 Yuki Bambri of India in the doubles where they face the fourth-seeded tandem from Croatia and Bosnia.
“We are fortunate to get Bambri as his partner, I think we have a strong chance for a medal here,” said Patrombon’s coach coach, former RP Davis Cupper Manny Tecson.
He said Patrombon’s singles draw include tough players like Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics, the recent winner of the Wimbledon junior singles, and Bambri himself, the 2009 Australian Open singles champion.
Patrombon, according to Tecson, have been spending the whole day at the training venue since arriving in Singapore four days ago.
“Jeson and I were practically in the courts training the entire day to get accustomed to the new courts and the humidity here in Singapore. We are getting stronger and I believe we will be 100 percent ready come competition day,” he said.
However, Tecson rued that the opening ceremony, set to begin at 7 p.m. last night, would have been too late for the athletes.
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