Jeson Patrombon and American Mitchell Krueger stumbled in their boys doubles title campaign and bowed to second seed Dominic Thiem of Austria and Matthias Wunner of Germany, 6-3, 6-1, in the finals of the 11th Gerry Webber Junior Open in Halle, Germany.

The loss still earned Patrombon and Krueger 50 International Tennis Federation (ITF) ranking points apiece in the Grade 2 event, which is expected to bolster their individual rankings of Nos. 37 and 79 next week.

It was Patrombon’s best finish so far in the European circuit after failing to surpass the second round in his last five tournaments in clay including the French Open.

En route to the finals, Patrombon and Krueger dumped Americans Dane Webb and Nick Chappell, 7-6 (12), 6-2, in the semis, Germans Jannis Kahlke and Daniel Masur, 6-4- 7-6 (5) in the quarters, and New Zealand’s Ben McLachlan and Jaden Grinter, 6-3, 6-4, in the opening round.

The runner-up finish will also boost Patrombon’s confidence on playing in grasscourt as he competes in the AEGON Junior International-Roehampton in London next week – a Grade 1 event which serves as a pre-tournament for the Wimbledon Grandslams.

Patrombon will join fellow RP bet Francis Casey Alcantara in the main draw round, which will start on Tuesday. — Kristel Satumbaga