Patrombon a win shy of Israel F2 tilt

Jeson Patrombon hurdled two matches in the qualifying stages to move within a win of barging into the main draw even as Fil-Italian Marc Reyes fell on the wayside in the tough Israel F2 Futures in Eilat Saturday.

Patrombon bested Britain’s James Allembry, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), and Israel’s Orel Ovil, 6-3, 6-2, to come closer to his second successive appearance in a Futures event in Israel.

The fast-rising Filipino internationalist will have to put up with another Israeli Saar Steele to clinch a slot in the main draw.

Last week, Patrombon barged into the second round of the F1 main draw singles and made the semifinals in the doubles in partnership with Reyes.

Reyes, however, stumbled in the first qualifying round, yielding a 4-6, 3-6 decision to Moldova’s Maxim Dubarenco, the same player who stopped Patrombon last week.

Manny Tecson, Patrombon’s coach, said his ward faces tougher opposition in F2 as higher ranked players from Europe are vying in the tournament. Because only the world’s top 600 players were invited to the event, the 941st-ranked Patrombon needed to pre-qualify.

Tecson said Patrombon is in tip-top shape to take on the challenge, though.

Patrombon will suit up for the Philippines in the Davis Cup tie against Pacific Oceania on Feb. 10 to 12 in Iriga City, while Reyes is expected to serve as one of the practice players.