Thailand and Kuwait tied at one all in Davis Cup first day
Thailand split a 1-1 draw with host Kuwait in their Davis Cup Zone Asia/Oceania Qualifying Group II opening round tie at the Yamouk Sport Club on Friday.
Thailand struck the first blood when Davis Cup debutant Jirat Navasirisomboon beat Abdullah Maqdes 6-2 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 in two hours and 45 minutes. But the host returned the favour right back in the next rubber when veteran Mohammad Ghareeb upset Thai No 1 Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul 6-4 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 after three hours and 10 minutes of battle.
Mohammad Ghareeb
Playing under 10 degree weather and windy condition, the Cup debutant Jirat overcame erratic play in the third set tie-break to produce the first point for the Kingdom.
“I’m so happy to win my match as a national player. My opponent was playing well and has so much experience. I didn’t know what was wrong with me in the third set as I made so many unforced errors. But this win will give me a boost going into the Sunday’s rubbers,” said the 20-year-old Jirat.
In the doubles rubber due on Saturday at 4pm Bangkok time Thailand is expected to gain the upper-hand as the doubles specialists Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana should have no problem tackling Abdulhamid Mubarak and Adulrahman Alawadhi.
“A 1-1 draw in the first day is not so bad. There are still three more points to take. I’m quite confident that we will win the doubles on Saturday,” said Thai captain Vittaya Samrej.
