By Kristel Satumbaga

Anna Christine Patrimonio finally did what no other Filipino player has done.

She beat China’s Liu Min, 6-4, 6-3, yesterday to advance to the second round of PLDT-Smart ITF Women’s Circuit Week 2 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis courts.

With her father, the celebrated four-time PBA MVP awardee Alvin Patrimonio watching with trepidation, Christine played a smart and precise game to turn back the Chinese challenger and became the first Filipino to advance past the first round in the two-week event for aspiring Asia-Pacific players.

The 16-year-old Patrimonio began tentatively. But once she got her stride, she dominated the Chinese, racing to a 4-0 lead in the second set.

From there, she coasted, clinching the match when she broke Min for the third time in the set to end the contest after one hour, 40 minutes.

Patrimonio, who had to go through two qualifying matches to make it to the main draw, praised her rival, but said she was more determined and that was the difference.

"Magaling siya (Liu)," she said of Min. "Malakas ‘yung serve niya at saka ’yung balik niya ng bola. Naging composed lang ako."

Patrimonio also did her homework, saying she got an advanced look at her opponent’s game when she scouted the Chinese’s strong and weak points through the Internet.

If the young Patrimonio was relieved after finally nailing her first victory, her father was almost a nervous wreck after the final point was delivered.

"I have been praying for this, to see good results after all the hardwork she and her sister had gone through in Spain," the older Patrimonio said.

Still, the elder Patrimonio wants more from her daughter who has been out of the family home the past three years and training in Spain.

"I hope she will be more confident in her next game. It (her run) should not stop here," said the former PBA superstar who admitted that watching her daughter make some nice return gave him a new "high".

The feeling, he said, is different.

"It is incomparable. Iba ’yung nerbyos na nararamdaman ko kapag pinapanood ko silang nagko-compete kaysa noong naglalaro pa ako," Alvin said.

Like other parents watching their own children compete, Alvin reacts excitedly, punching the air each time his daughter makes a good shot.

With her victory, Patrimonio arranged a second round showdown with Japanese fourth seed Yumi Nakano, who beat compatriot Tomoko Taira, 6-1, 6-3.

Patrimonio’s victory was the country’s only saving grace so far.

The other two Filipinos who saw action yesterday went down in defeat.

Michell Pang lost to Indonesia’s Ayu-fani Damayanti, 6-1, 6-3, while Jessica-Mari Agra was clobbered by Chinese qualifier Yang Yi, 6-2, 6-2.

The day before, Czarina Mae Arevalo and Bambi Zoleta were also eliminated.

Week 1 titlist and fifth pick Lavinia Tananta of Indonesia rallied from an opening set defeat for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 triumph over Australian Cassandra Barr while Korean Yoo Mi scored a 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-2 win over China’s Qui Si-si.

Chinese second seed Lu Jia-jing also had a hard time before turning back compatriot Zhong Yi, 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-2. She will face French qualifier Elodie Rogge-Dietrich, a 7-5, 6-2 winner over Thailand’s Satjaporn Mahajaroenkul.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT20081120141432.html