Francis Casey Alcantara blasted former doubles partner and third seed Huang Liang-chi of Taiwan, 6-1, 6-0, last Tuesday to barge into the semifinals of the Grade 1 Lo Yang Traralgon International in Australia.

The world junior No. 34 Alcantara took the measure of the world junior No. 6 with a steady baseline game as he warmed up for the Junior Australian Open which starts on Sunday.

Alcantara teamed up with Huang in taking the doubles crown at the International Junior Tournament of Offenbach in Germany and placing second at the ITF/LTAT Junior Championships in Thailand.

But as Alcantara flourished, qualifier Jeson Patrombon bowed out in the first round, absorbing a 6-1, 6-2 drubbing from fourth seed Kevin Krawietz of Germany.

The 16-year-old Patrombon, also seeking a seat in the Australian Open through the qualifying round, made it to the main draw with victories over Jake Wynan of Australia (6-2, 6-4) and Leandro Toledo of Germany (7-6 (6), 2-6, 7-6 (7)).

Alcantara, who is on his final junior year, faces Justin Eleveld of the Netherlands, a 6-0, 6-3 upset winner over 12th pick Jozef Kovalik of Slovakia, in the Final 4.

Prior to his quarterfinals win, the 17-year-old Alcantara beat Romain Arneodo of France, 6-2, 6-4, before surprising seventh seed Guilherme Clezar of Brazil, 6-4, 6-1, and nipping Richard Muzaev of Australia, 6-7 (7), 6-3, 6-4.