Patrimonio clinches Metro Open crown

MANILA, Philippines - Eighth seed Anna Christine Patrimonio stunned third pick Aileen Rogan, 6-2, 6-4, yesterday to become the first women’s singles titlist in the Metro Open People’s Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Patrimonio, daughter of four-time PBA Most Valuable Player Alvin Patrimonio, displayed superb groundstrokes and net attacks to pocket her first women’s title since arriving last year from a three-year training in Valencia, Spain.

Holding her serves in the first set, Patrimonio easily put herself on the threshold of the title but had some anxious moments in the second frame when she lost a big 4-0 and 5-2 leads in the face of Rogan’s drop shots.

Rogan broke Patrimonio’s serve in the fifth game and kept hers in the next game to move in, 2-4. And after Patrimonio held on for a 5-2 advantage, Rogan fought back and took another break in the ninth to threaten, 4-5.

But just as fast, Patrimonio regained her composure and a second wind to break back in the next game for the match.

Patrimonio earned an opening round bye before downing Tamitha Nguyen, 6-4, 6-2, second seed Michelle Pang, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-4, and No. 5 Jessica Agra, 6-4, 6-2.

It was also a double victory for Patrimonio after she and Agra captured the women’s doubles title last Friday with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Michelle Pang and Trudygine Amoranto.

The men’s singles championship match between top seed Johnny Arcilla and No. 2 pick Patrick John Tierro were being played at presstime.