MANILA, Philippines - Filipino ace Jeson Patrombon opened his bid in the Australian Open 2011 Junior boys’ singles with a 6-4, 7-6 (5) win over local bet Jordan Thompson yesterday at the Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.
Seeded eighth in the year’s first grand slam event, the 17-year-old Patrombon survived the tough stance of the Australian qualifier to advance to the second round against Miki Jankovic of Serbia.
Jankovic, ranked 59th in the International Tennis Federation junior list, set up a Round of 32 duel with world No. 12 Patrombon with a 6-0, 6-1 rout of Thailand’s Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul.
Patrombon is also vying in the boys’ doubles division in partnership with Jaden Grinter of New Zealand. The pride of Iligan City and Grinter are slated to open their campaign today against Japanese Ryota Kishi and Serbian Nicola Milojevic.
Patrombon, coming off a rather disappointing finish at the pre-Aussie Open netfest Loy Yang Traralgon International 2011, is playing in the main draw of the Australian Open Juniors for the first time.
Last year, as a player well outside the top rankings, he had to go through the qualifying stages but was stopped in his tracks right in the first round.