Pruchya provides the CRUCIAL point

After building a 21 lead from three rubbers, Thailand faced a resolute fightback from minnows Sri Lanka. Sharmal Dissanayake put up a valiant fight from 02 sets down to upset Thai No 1 Puriwat Chatpatcharoen 46 26 63 63 61 after three hours and 20 minutes.

But Thai No 2 Pruchya saved Thailand’s blushes by stopping Sri Lanka’s resistance, beating Harshana Godamanna  64 67 (57) 63 76 (86) after three hours and 24 minutes.

Puriwat’s lack of experience in team play showed when he blew away a twoset lead and 21 advantage in the third. He was plagued by unforced errors and the gutsy Dissanayake saw an opening. The Lankan No 1, sup¬ported by some 20 compatriots, chased the ball with vigour and ener¬gy while the Thai slowly faded away.

“I got cramps on my left thigh after the second set and I couldn’t move properly. Because of the stomach problem I didn’t have enough prac¬tice for four days and that took a toll on me,” said the Thai No 1, who was 02 in his first two Davis Cup match¬es. “Besides, I let my guard down after I broke him for 21 lead and he never looked back from then on. I’m disap¬pointed not to win a point for Thailand.

“If I am selected to play again in the future, I would like to make amends,” said the 20yearold.

Pruchya after a 21 lead quickly fell 14 behind in the fourth as the fear about an upset result loomed over the arena. But the Thai fought bravely to level at four and forced the tiebreak. He proved mentally tougher at cru¬cial moments, whipping a forehand winner to end the marathon fight.

“I’m so happy to win this rubber and helped Thailand win. I was under pressure but it was a must win for me,” said Pruchya, who carried the national flag around the stadium to celebrate the win.

Thailand will move into the second round and will play Vietnam, who needed the deciding rubber to stun Indonesia 32, between July 1517.

“This was a very entertaining Davis Cup tie and both sides fought hard till the last point. We hoped to win by the fourth rubber but after Puriwat failed, we knew Pruchya would wrap up this win,” said captain Paradorn Srichaphan.

“We knew very well that it would not be easy for Puriwat as he was in his first Davis Cup. We have plans to train him and he will be a good bet for the future. Pruchya proved that he is mentally and physically tough for a fiveset match. He is the main force of the Thailand team,” Paradorn said.

Thailand and Vietnam have never played before and a draw will be made to choose the host of the next round tie. But Paradorn said it’s a must win tie for Thailand.

“Vietnam beat Indonesia, so they must be tough. Vietnam have a top player and are getting better and bet¬ter. We will be well prepared and it is a must win tie,” he said.