Fifth seed Jeson Patrombon ousted Korean Lee Jea Moon, 6-3, 6-3, to storm into the finals of the Dunlop Japan Open Tennis Championships in Nagoya, the farthest a Filipino junior player has ever advanced in this Grade 1 tournament which is just a rung below grand slams.

Patrombon’s straight set whitewash of his Japanese rival has made him a favorite to wrap up his biggest title in a career that is slowly developing.

Standing in his way is Rikuto Furuta of Japan, a qualifier who had to work three sets to overcome Hikaru Oshiro, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Though Patrombon’s finals opponent is ranked only No. 630, the Filipino will have to contend with the hometown crowd and his rival’s apparent familiarity with the carpet surface.

Before struggling against Oshiro, the 18-year-old Furita had little trouble disposing of his other rivals -- second pick Ben McLachlan of New Zealand, 6-3, 6-4, in the quarters, eighth pick Sam Barry of Ireland, 6-3, 6-4, in the third round and No. 11 Gao Xin of China, 6-0, 7-6 (1) in the second round.