Thailand, Philippines face off in Davis Cup
Philippines bank on home-court advantage
>> Thailand have their work cut out this weekend when they attempt to cancel the Philippines’ home-court advantage in their 2018 Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II tie.
The match, winners of which will proceed to the group final, will be played on a slow shell-clay court at the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) in Manila.
Thailand No.2 Jirat Navasirisomboon will face the home team’s Jeson Patrombon in today’s first singles match-up, with the clash between top-ranked Thai Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul and the Philippines No.2 John Otico following afterwards.
Tomorrow’s matches will pit Thai twins Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana against the Filipino duo of Francis Alcantara and Johnny Arcilla in the doubles clash.
The first reverse singles will be between Wishaya and Patrombon followed by the Jirat-Otico tie.
Thailand Davis Cup team captain Weerapat Doakmaiklee yesterday rated his men as the favourites to win a place in the Group II final.
“We are the favourites to win the match,” he said. “The hosts have decided to rest world No.1,391 Alberto Lim and replaced him with Otico. This should give us an edge.
“The opening day might end in 1-1 tie but we do have a chance to capture a two-match lead.
“Wishaya is technically better than Otico, while Jirat beat Patrombon in the Davis Cup last year. But we cannot underestimate them at all.
“This time they are playing on their home court and Patrombon seems to have prepared well for this competition.
“I have told my players to play their own game. If they make any mistakes we can always take care of them.
“In the doubles, we are much better than the Filipinos.”
Jirat said: “I beat Jeson when we met the last time. I am confident that I can beat him again.
“I will try to play my own game and exploit his mistakes to score points. Hopefully I will be able to give Thailand a winning start.”
Wishaya said: “I have never seen Otico play, so I can only concentrate on my game.
“Otico will get good support from the home crowd, but I have been in such situations many times.”