Anna Christine Patrimonio’s Cinderella bid ended in tears yesterday when she bowed to a far superior rival as her title dreams evaporated in a maze of errors in a highly-anticipated match.

Patrimonio showed she still needs more seasoning as fourth seed Japanese Yumi Nakano took the fight and desire from the Filipino hope, 7-5-6-3 in the second round of the PLDT-Smart ITF Women’s Circuit Week 2 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis courts.

“She’s really good,” said Patrimonio, who broke into tears after the match.

“Nawalan ako ng gana after losing the first set. I tried to recover sa second, pero hindi ko mapalo nang maganda yung bola.”

Despite the defeat, Patrimonio said she’s proud of her finish. Patrimonio was the only Filipino to have won a main draw match in the two-week event.

“I am very happy pa rin. It’s my first time to play here after three years. Maka kabawi din ako,” said Patrimonio who came from Spain where she has trained for the past three years.

Her father, Alvin, a former basketball icon and winner of four PBA MVP awards, was again at the stands as sadness descended after a joyful finish the other day when his daughter won her first round match.

But it was not total disappointment, he said.

“I haven’t seen her play in almost three years and I am so amazed at how she has improved,” Alvin said.

The former PBA superstar believe there is potential from her daughter.

“The advice that I always give to my kids is to have the right attitude. Andiyan na yung talent. It’s all up to them on how they would handle it, to not give up and just enjoy the game,” he said.

The 16-year-old Patrimonio raced to a 5-3 lead in the first set after breaking her opponent’s serve thrice, but pressure caught up with her after the Japanese captured the next four games and the set.

Still reeling from the loss of the set, Patrimonio surrendered the next three games at the start of the set. She fought back and tied at 3-3. But Nakano again proved the steadier player, whipping double-fisted backhands to take the next three games and the match.

Nakano’s victory earned her a quarterfinal date with Indonesian Jessy Rompies, who trounced Marina Novak of Liechtenstein, 6-3, 6-2.

French qualifier Elodie Rogge-Dietrich stole the limelight with a stunning 6-3, 6-2 upset win over second seed Lu Jia-jing of China that set her a meeting with Week 1 runner-up Ayu-fani Damayanti of Indonesia, a 6-1, 6-1 winner over China’s Yang Yi.

Topseed Sacha Jones also displayed resolve and thumped Australian Renee Binnie, 6-3, 6-0, to book a clash with Week 1 champion Lavinia Tananta of Indonesia, a 7-6 (12), 6-2 winner over Korean Yoo Mi.

Chinese eighth seed Li Ting whipped Uzbek Alisa Ogordova, 6-3, 6-2, to face Korean Kang Seo-Kyung, a 6-1, 7-5 winner over Thailand’s Nicha Lertpitaksinchai.