Lim gains Orange Bowl tennis finals

Albert Lim Jr. continues to make waves.

MANILA, Philippines—Twelve-year-old Filipino Albert Lim Jr., created a stir by barging into the finals in his first stint in the Orange Bowl international tennis championships 12s in Coral Gables, Florida, on Wednesday.

A qualifier in the United States Tennis Association-sanctioned event, Lim worked his way past a number of seeded players in the main draw then ousted ninth seed Noah Makarome of the United states, 6-2, 6-1, to roll into the finals.

Makarome reached the semifinals with a hard-earned 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 triumph over American Sam Riffice in a battle that lasted two and a half hours.

Lim, who earleir ousted the No. 2 American Alexander del Corral, 6-2, 6-1, forged a final showdown with top seed Artem Dubrivny of Russia, who ousted sixth seed
Ergi Kirkin of Turkey, 6-1, 6-0.

Although noted for his natural quickness and power, Lim will have his hands full against Dubrivny, who just won the Eddie Herr tournament.

But Lim has momentum on his side and will face the Russian having already won 10 matches since the qualifying rounds.

“He [Lim] has been showing a lot of promise since he began competing in the 10-under,” said Philippine Tennis Association vice president Randy Villanueva.

“What’s good here is that AJ [Lim’s nickname] is a homegrown talent. He represents the new breed of Filipino netters.”

The Orange Bowl is one of only five Grade A tournaments in the junior circuit.