Last-day turnaround takes Thailand to Group II final
Thailand swept all three rubbers yesterday to claim a comfortable 4-1 victory over hosts Philippines in the Davis Cup Asia/ Oceania zone Group II in Manila yesterday.
Thailand have now advanced to the third and final round against Lebanon, who held an unbeatable 3-1 lead over Hong Kong at press time. The winners of the September tie will earn promotion to Group I next year.
With the score level at 1-1 after the first day’s opening singles, twins Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana gave Thailand a crucial 2-1 lead after coming from a set down to win the doubles match against Francis Alcantara and Johnny Arcilla 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 on the indoor claycourt at Philippines Columbian Association in Manila.
“Although we knew our opponents’ game well, the nature of the Davis Cup means that we couldn’t really predict how well they would play on match day,” said Sonchat after the match.
“We didn’t have the best of start, but fortunately we managed to turn it around and got back into our game pretty quickly after losing the first set. It was a great win for the team,” Sanchai added.
Thailand’s No.1 Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul sealed a place in Group 2 decider for Thailand when he overcame his Philippine counterpart Jeson Patrombon in a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 thriller.
Palaphoom Kovapitukted, who replaced Jirat Navasirisomboon in yesterday’s second reverse singles match, then wrapped up the tie with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Otico in the dead fifth rubber.
World No.433 Wishaya kept Thailand in the tie by beating John Bryan Otico 6-3, 6-4 after Jirat had lost the opening rubber to Patrombon 6-2, 6-2 earlier on Saturday.
Team captain Weerapat Doakmaiklee saluted the Thais’ brave performance against the Philippine players, who were backed by their vocal home crowd.
“Everything went according to plan and we have achieved our goal of qualifying for the final,” said Weerapat. “Today everyone did exceptionally well.
“Although the Philippine players had a lot of support from their home crowd, our players kept their concentration and just focused on their game.”
Wishaya, who dropped the second set against Patrombon, admitted he was well below his best, but also praised his opponent.
“I did not play well today. The Philippine crowd was very loud and I had to try very hard to focus on my game. But Patrombon also played well and he made it tough for me today.”