Lim rules Level 7 int’l tennis tourney in Florida

MANILA, Philippines - AJ Lim routed Roberto Guerrero of Florida, 6-0, 6-0, to capture his second international crown in the Andy Lake Pearl Level 7 tournament at Haws Landing in Florida over the weekend.

The unseeded Lim, who turned 15 last month, leaned on his groundstrokes and strong serves to dominate Guerrero and rule the 18-years and under tournament sanctioned by United States Tennis Association (USTA).

Lim also shut out Gabriel Osio of Weston, Florida, 6-0, 6-0, in the quarters before stunning top seed Sebastian Serrano of Doral, Florida, 6-1, 6-1, to get a crack at the crown.

The victory was a big follow-up to his China Junior Open romp last May. 

He also made it to the finals in last month’s Philippine National Games where he  beat seven-time PCA Open champion Johnny Arcilla in the semis.

Lim, being assisted by a staff of the L’Academie de Tennis in the US, is currently competing in the USTA-sanctioned Plantation Open Circuit III, also in Florida. He won his first-round match after his opponent, Christopher Kinigopoulo of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida retired due to injury, 6-2, 3-0.

He will next meet seventh seed Kevin Taco of Miami, Florida, a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 winner over Davis Carvalho of Coral Springs, Florida.

The tournament, rated “Intermediate Advanced” in skill level, offers the top 16 players a spot in the main draw of a Futures tournament at the end of the year.