Thais in destructive Davis Cup form
Play
Thailand established a convincing 2-0 lead by sweeping both opening rubbers against Pakistan on the first day of their Davis Cup Zone Asia/Oceania Qualifying Group II final round tie at the National Tennis Development Centre Muang Thong Thani yesterday.
Pruchya Isarow got Thailand off to a great start after rallying from a set down to beat Pakistani No 1 Aisam Qureshi 3-6 6-3 6-3 6-2 in two hours and 53 minutes, before Thai No 1 No 1 Danai Udomchoke overpowered Samir Iftikhar 6-0 6-4 6-1 in one hour and 49 minutes.
Rousing himself after losing the opening set, the 18-year-old Pruchya found range with his returns and dominated the next three sets as his 34-year-old opponent ran out of gas.
“I didn’t start the first set well and he served incredibly well. But in the second set I stood back from the baseline and began returning better, while he became more tired. I was a bit in tense before the match as he plays well at the net and is top 30 in doubles,” said Pruchya, who has won all his five Davis Cup singles rubbers.
“I’m so proud to keep the winning streak – my parents are very happy too. With Danai and the twins [Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana), the team is really strong and I hope we can win this tie and get back to Group I,” said Pruchya, a Chulalongkorn University freshman.
Joining the team for the first time this year, world No 293 Danai proved too strong for the unranked Iftikhar. However, the Thai No had to overcome a brief bout of nerves in the second set to claw back from 2-4 down. Despite having cramp in his right arm and leg, it was a one-way-traffic for the Thai in the third set.
“I didn’t feel comfortable with my serves the whole match and that’s why it was tougher than it should have been. He played the kind of game that I don’t like and made me go for my shots more than I normally would. So I lost energy and had cramp at start of the third set. I just tried to get my first serves in and luckily got an early break in the set” said Danai.
Thailand need one more point to win the tie and can achieve that in today’s doubles, with Sonchat and Sanchai taking on Qureshi and Aqeel Khan at 1pm, which can be seen live on Truesport 7
“Everything went according to plan as we won both rubbers and put Pakistan under pressure. Pruchya played well against Qureshi who has a lot more experience,” said Thai captain Paradorn Srichaphan.
“Although Qureshi is a good doubles player he should be tired from the singles and his partner has less experience. Sonchat and Sanchai are stronger obviously. I’m confident we have a stronger chance of winning.”
