New lease of life for Thai team
Twins Sonchat and Sanchai revive hopes for Davis Cup comeback with dominating victory in doubles
>> Thailand bounced back to life in their Asia/Oceania Zone Group 2 battle with Pakistan yesterday when twin brothers Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana picked up their first win.
Thailand started the day trailing the hosts 2-0 in Islamabad, but Sonchat and Sanchai earned themselves the chance of a comeback by taming Pakistan pair of Shahzad Khan and Muhammad Abid in the doubles clash.
Thailand now need to win both reverse singles encounters to seal a place in the first division next year.
The first set was close and it was Pakistan who claimed a slim 5-4 lead before they broke the Thais’ serve in the 10th game to bag the opener 6-4.
The Thai twins were able to combine better in the next set, which they claimed 6-4 to level the score at oneset each.
Sonchat and Sanchai dominated their opponents with ease in the third set as a 6-1 win put them ahead for the first time in the match.
Then there was no looking back for the experienced Thai doubles specialists as they broke their rivals’ service games in the third, fifth and seventh for another 6-1 victory to wrap up the match in the fourth set.
After the match, Sonchat and Sanchai said: “Although Pakistan took the gamble and fielded their third- and fourth-ranked players in the match, it wasn’t an easy outing for us.
“We used the first set to study their tactics but lost our own service in the 10th game.
“We then defended well which made the things difficult for the Pakistan players.
“After winning the second set, we regained confidence and came back stronger in the third and fourth sets.”
They added: “We are happy to pick up a point for the team.
“For the reverse singles, we believe that both Wishaya [Trongcharoenchaikul] and Kittiphong [Wachiramanowong] can regain their form and play better than on the opening day.
“They both know what needs to be done. If the matches go longer, we will benefit because both Pakistan players are old, but we must not repeat the mistakes we committed on the first day.”
Today’s reverse singles matches will pit Thailand No.1 Wishaya against Aisam Qureshi, while Thailand No.2 Kittiphong will take on Aqeel Khan.