MANILA, Philippines - Top Filipino junior netter Jeson Patrombon failed to extend his march in the Thailand F5 Futures tournament, bowing to French No. 3 Laurent Rochette, 6-0, 2-6, 3-6, in Thursday’s singles quarterfinals in Phuket, Thailand.
Playing in the quarters for the first time since turning pro last April, Patrombon surprised the 372nd-ranked French with near-flawless attacking game to easily take the first set.
But Rochette cranked up on intensity and aggressiveness to turn the match around deny the Filipino ace a seat in the semis.
“Our plan was to get the French player out of his comfort zone by pressing the attack immediately and it caught the French player by surprise and worked like a charm (in the first set),” said Patrombon’s coach Manny Tecson.
The role was somehow reversed in the second set as the 23-year-old Rochette began to impose his will on the Iligan City pride.