Thai captain quits after failure to clinch Davis Cup promotion
Hosts Thailand again failed to win promotion to Group I after they lost to Lebanon 3-2 in the Davis Cup Zone Asia/Oceania Qualifying Group II final at the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand on Sunday.
Despite drawing level at 2-2 after losing two singles rubbers on Saturday, Thailand paid the price for fielding the inexperienced Palaphoom Kovapitukted as their second singles player. The 18-year-old lost the decisive rubber to the 643rd ranked Hady Habib 6-3 6-3.
Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana
Earlier twins and doubles partners Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana narrowed the gap for the Kingdom after they beat Jad Ballout and Giovani Samaha 6-0 6-3, before Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul beat Benjamin Hassan 6-4 4-6 6-4 to force the decider.
Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul
Lebanon reserved a spot in Group I next year while Thailand remain in Group II after losing at this stage for three successive years. Thailand captain Weerapat Doakmaiklee took responsibility for the defeat and promptly resigned.
