Jeson Patrombon crushed unseeded Mitchell Krueger of the United States, 6-2, 6-1, to barge into the semifinals of the Grade 1 Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup Junior Championships Saturday in Kuching, Malaysia.

Inspired by his third round victory over 12th seed Wang Chuhan of China the other day, the wildcard bet Patrombon imposed himself against the American early on with aggressive attacks at the net and powerful forehands to move two wins shy of claiming his first Grade 1 crown.

Patrombon’s victory set him up to a Final 4 date with darkhorse qualifier James Duckworth of Australia, who thumped Campbell Johnson of the United States, 6-1, 6-4.

Although Patrombon currently carries a higher world ranking of No. 110 compared to Duckworth’s No. 189, the Australian looks to be more experienced as he boasts of a quarterfinal finish at the Australian Open last January.

The 18-year-old Sydney native also owns a 6-4, 6-2 upset win over ninth pick Jeong Suk-young of Korea in the third round.

Fourteenth-seed Dane Webb of the United States and Andrew Whittington of Australia, likewise, won their matches to set up the other semis date.

Webb, who ousted top RP junior Francis Casey Alcantara in the third round, stunned fourth pick Darian King of Barbados, 2-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5, while Whittington surprised No. 8 Tobias Blomgren of Sweden, 0-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Patrombon’s semis entry already assured him of 80 ranking points, a development that could help boost his goal of barging into the Top 100.