Mendoza-Lim crashes out of Lancer doubles

The Philippines’ misery extended to the doubles competitions as Jurence Zosimo Mendoza and Alberto Lim Jr., dropped a close 7-6 (11-9), 1-6, 10-8, decision to Indian Sumit Nagal and Thai Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul yesterday in the 24th Mitsubishi Lancer international junior tennis championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Already wiped out in the singles competition, Mendoza and Lim put up a gallant stand before heading to the exit  after squandering an 8-5 lead  in the super tiebreak.

The 13-year-old Lim, showing jitters at crunchtime, committed two unforced errors as the visitors escaped with the first-round victory.

Nagal and Trongcharoenchaikul will next take on sixth seeds Jonny O’Mara and Alexander Sendegeya, who drew a bye to the next round.

In singles action, top seed Borna Coric of Croatia advanced with a 6-2, 6-1 triumph over South Korean Duck Lee, who broke the Filipino fans’ heart Wednesday by ousting Lim, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, in the second round.

Coric will face in the quarterfinals fifth seed Harry Bouchier of Australia, who downed O’Mara, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).

Alexandre Muller of France, who eliminated Mendoza, stayed alive with a hard-earned 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) win over Mehdi Abid of Tunisia.

He will next go up against second seed Omar Jasika, who booted out Alexander Klintcharov of New Zealand, 6-1, 6-4.

In girls’ singles, Ipek Soylu of Turkey also breezed through the quarters with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Priscilla Hon of Australia. She will take on Rutuja Bhosale, who pulled off a 6-0, 6-2 upset over eighth seed Japanese Mami Adachi.

Sara Tomic of Australia, 15-year-old sister of ATP campaigner and Aussie No. 1 Bernard, defeated Kamonwan Buayam of Thailand, 6-4, 6-3.