Patrombon downs Japanese, gains 2nd rd

Jeson Patrombon bombarded Japan’s Shu Saito with solid forehand shots to prevail, 6-3, 6-3, Tuesday and barge into the second round of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association Open-Cebuana Lhuillier ITF Men’s Futures 2 at PCA clay courts.

The only Filipino to make the main draw of the double ITF competitions in Manila, each with a prize pot of $15,000, Patrombon advanced in just over one hour.

“I’m more confident now, but the field is tough with plenty of world-ranked players,” said Patrombon, who also reached the second round of the ITF Futures 1 last week at Valle Verde Country Club.

But disaster struck former PCA Open titlist Patrick John Tierro, who dropped a 6-0, 6-2 decision to fourth seed Arata Onozawa of Japan.

Sixteen-year-old Fil-Spaniard Diego Garcia Dalisay, who is aspiring to play for Philippine team, hurdled his first-round opponent, beating Filipino wildcard Rolando Ruel, 6-1, 6-4.

Eight-time PCA champion Johnny Arcilla debuts today along with 2009 Australian Open boys’ doubles champ Francis Casey Alcantara, Elbert Anasta and Bryan Otico.

Patrombon will take on Indian Kunal Anand, who stunned Japanese No. 7 Hiromasa Oku, 6-1, 6-4.

Also advancing to the next round were top seed Enrique Lopez-Perez of Spain who downed Lee Kuan-yi of Chinese Taipei, 6-2, 6-0, and second seed Harry Bourchier of Australia who edged Masato Shiga of Japan, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5.