FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Davis Cup hopes in balance but Thais confident of victory

Davis Cup hopes in balance but Thais confident of victory

Thailand and hosts Philippines were locked at 1-1 tie after the opening-day singles rubbers in the Davis Cup Zone Asia/Oceania Qualifying Group II second round tie in Manila on Saturday.

Top seeds Thailand had to compete on their least favourite clay surface and it took its toll as Jirat Navasirisomboon was no match for Jeson Patrombon, who trounced him 6-2 6-2 in just 67 minutes.
“I already did what the captain told me but my opponent came up with a good game plan,” said the 21-year-old SEA Games men’s singles silver medalist. “Obviously he felt more comfortable with this surface than I did.  I gave him short balls from the backhand side and he took that opportunity to attack me.”
The Thais rebounded in the second singles as Thailand’s world No 433 Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul, the only player in the tie to be ranked inside top 1,000, overpowered John Bryan Decasa Otico 6-3 6-4 in 70 minutes.
“Even though I won, I wish I could have served better again,” said Wishaya, who only arrived in Manila two days earlier after reporting for military draft.
“I will need to improve my serves in the rubber against Patrombon, whom I beat in the SEA Games last year. I know his game well and I’m confident I can beat him.”

Davis Cup hopes in balance but Thais confident of victory

Jirat Navasirisomboon

Thailand were also expected to win the third rubber, with doubles specialists Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana taking on the underdogs Fancis Casey Alcantara and Johnny Arcilla on Sunday. 
Then Wishaya will take on Patrombon and Jirat will face Otico in the fifth rubber.
Thai captain Weerapat Dokmaiklee was confident his side would prevail eventually.
“We expected a draw on Saturday and we will close the deal after that,” he said.
“We have better a doubles team and the No 1 singles player. If they can approach the ball properly on clay, they should have no problem.”
The first nation to win three rubbers will move into the final against either Hong Kong or Lebanon in September to battle for promotion to Group I next year.

Davis Cup hopes in balance but Thais confident of victory

 

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