Debutant Puriwat raring to go at Sri Lanka

The 20-year-old rising star, who had to be put on a saline drip on Thursday, was back practicing on 

court yesterday and said he was in good shape for the tie against Sri Lanka, which kicks off at 10am today at the National Tennis Development Centre in Bangkok.

“I feel normal and am looking forward to Friday’s opening rubber. I felt tired briefly at the beginning of Thursday’s practice but after a while it was okay. I’m determined to win the first point for Thailand,” said the 729th-ranked Puriwat after the draw yesterday.

Puriwat will make his national team debut against the unranked Godamanna while Thai No 2 

Pruchya Isarow will take on Sri Lankan ace Sharmal Dissanayake, No 1,578 in the world. Both rubbers can be viewed live on beIN Sport or True676.

“I trained with him years ago. He has a consistent baseline game but doesn’t have big strokes. Actually he is the best in the Sir Lankan team but he doesn’t compete much on the tour 

and has no ranking. I’m quite confident that I have a good chance against him,” said Puriwat, who has never represented Thailand, even during his years as a junior.

Marred by health problems and injuries, Puriwat failed to get selected to the national under 14 side and even hung up his racquet for more than a year to play golf. Realising that fairways and greens were not his cup of tea, he returned to tennis a fear years ago and played a full calendar last year, with three semi-final appearances on the ITF Futures his best results.

“I’m honoured to play for my country, which is something I always dreamed of. I’m quite excited. It is my first Davis Cup but the senior players told me to think of it just as another ITF match, not something big,” said Puriwat. For the doubles scheduled on Saturday at 1pm, Thailand nominated Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana up against Godamanna and Dissanayake. Sunday’s remaining singles see Puriwat play Dissanayake and Pruchya against Godamanna.

Thailand, with players of higher ranking, are likely to seal the victory by Saturday’s rubber. The 

Kingdom has never lost to the Lankans in all six of their previous meetings.

“Our team consists of players of two generations. Sonchat and Sanchai have long experience and 

are a strong doubles team. Puriwat may play for the first time but he is a good player and is well prepared for the Cup while Pruchya has been playing Davis Cup for a few years,”  said Thai skipper Paradorn Srichaphan.

“I’m sure we will clear this first hurdle.”