With seeming ease, Japanese third seed Yusuke Takahashi yesterday put an abrupt end to Alberto Lim Jr.’s amazing run.
Takahashi, 16, got back at his tormentor in last week’s finals when he stopped the 13-year-old Lim, 6-4, 6-1, to reach the boys’ singles semifinals of the Phinma International junior tennis championships Week 2 at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The Japanese didn’t only avenge his 3-6, 3-6 loss to the Filipino prodigy but he also removed the last local hope in the Grade 4 event sponsored by Phinma and backed by Technifibre, Viva mineral water, Powerade and the Philippine Sports Commission.
But Lim’s coach, Manny Tecson, said he’s more than satisfied with the performance of his ward, who won the title last week to become the youngest player to win an 18-under tournament in the country.
“In the end, playing a hectic four-week straight took a toll on his young body,” said Tecson.
Takahashi will go for a finals slot today against fifth seed Ahmed Deedat Abdul Razak of Malaysia, who shocked top seed Chen Wei-jen of Chinese Taipei, 6-2, 6-2.
Unseeded Shoma Kato of Japan upset No. 2 Teeradon Tortrakul of Thailand, 6-4, 6-3 and will next face No. 7 compatriot Sora Fukuda, who bested No. 4 Chen Xin of China, 6-4, 6-2.