Lim reigns supreme in India

MANILA, Philippines - Alberto “AJ” Lim kicked off his 2015 campaign in big fashion, fashioning out a 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 victory over top seed Yuya Ito of Japan to capture the India (International Tennis Federation (ITF) crown in Chandigarh, India over the weekend.

Lim, 15, said his four-set defeat to eight-time PCA champion Johnny Arcilla in the final last month primed him up against Ito, especially in the first set where they slugged it out in furious rallies.

“My recent campaign in a tough local tournament helped me prepare for this tournament,” said Lim, who was assisted by veteran coach Martin Misa. “Besides, I regained my strength from a groin strain injury that sidelined me for almost three months.”

A recipient of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) award, Lim is gearing up for the Australian Open this month where he hopes to do well.

With his latest win, Lim, sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, is expected to barge into the top 150 in the ITF rankings. If he also figures well in the  New Delhi tournament starting tomorrow, Lim is likely to make it to the top 80 before the first Grand Slam in Australia.

But Lim failed to make it a double celebration when he and partner lost to an Indian pair in the final.

The Filipino ace advanced to the final by crushing British No. 2 seed Alexis Canter, 6-2, 6-2. In the quarters, he bucked an opening set defeat to beat Indian Rian Pandole, 4-6, 6-1, 6-0.