Dominant Thais looks to doubles  veterans to wrap up Davis Cup-tie

Local youngster Palaphoom Kovapitukted drew first blood for the Kingdom in the Asia/Oceania Group II match, overcoming a second-set lapse to beat Filipino No 1 Jeson Pratombon 6-3 2-6 6-4. Thai No 1 Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul then made it 2-0 when he overpowered Alberto Lim 6-4 7-6 (7-5).
“I was playing well but I shouldn’t have lost my focus in the second set. I was so excited and under pressure because if I wanted to give Thailand to a good start. Then I tried to get back into the match,” said 19-year-old Palaphoom, who now has two wins and two losses form four Davis Cup matches. 
“I have to thank captain Danai Udomchoke for his game plan.”
Big-hitting Wishaya employed his powerful serves and fierce forehands to keep Lim at bay most of the time. He became erratic and faced two set points at 5-6 in the second set but recovered to close out the match after 80 minutes.
“I lost my focus in the second set but luckily I fought back to win the tie-break. I’m happy to win the second point and help the team to be in a good position,” Wishaya added.
Thailand is expected to clinch the match-winning third point in Saturday’s morning double, when doubles experts Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana will be in action for the hosts.
The visitors originally nominated Francis Casey Alcantara and Jurence Zosimo Mendoza for the pivotal double rubber but with their backs to the wall, Patrombon may be summoned for extra duty.
“I was quite confident that we would end the first day 2-0. If there’s nothing wrong we should win the tie with the doubles rubber as we have the better doubles team,” said Thai skipper Danai.
“If we win 3-0, I intend to send the other player, Kasidit Samrej, to get some experience in one of the remaining [dead] rubbers.”