RUBEN Gonzales bowed out of the ATP Challenger Philippine Open even as upsets marred Wednesday’s singles play at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Gonzales fell to seventh-seed Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands, 6-2, 6-2, on Monday night following the early exit of Jeson Patrombon, Francis Casey Alcantara, and AJ Lim in the first round of the $75,000 tournament.
The Filipino netters, nevertheless, are set to gain ATP ranking points in the tournament sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Tennis Association, Dunlop, Chris Sports, and TV5.
Top seed Luca Vanni of Italy and compatriot and sixth-ranked Thomas Fabbiano crashed out of the tournament in second round action.
Vanni lost to qualifier Marco Chuidinelli of Switzerland, 6-3, 1-6, 6-2, while Fabbiano bowed to David Guez of France, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
It was a big win for Guez, who downed the Philippines’ top junior netter Lim in the first round to break the hearts of Filipino tennis fans.