Davis Cup: Kuwait vows to stun PH

KUWAIT team fields question after practice session.

AN UNDAUNTED Kuwaiti side arrived here over the weekend and vowed to score a major upset against Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cup team.

Non-playing captain Adel Al-Shatti said they find the weather and playing conditions favorable to them. He said that even though they practice more on hardcourts, the slow and slippery Valle Verde Country Club shellcourts won’t be a problem either.

They face the Philippines starting on Friday with the opening rubbers starting at 3 p.m. Saturday’s doubles will be at 6 p.m., while reverse rubbers will start at 2 p.m. Draws will be on Thursday at 10 a.m. also at Valle Verde.

“Of course we hope to leave here with a win,” said Al- Shatti.

“Surface is OK, I mean it’s not an advantage for us, but it’s not going to be a disadvantage either,” Al-Shatti said. “But everything is fine so far and we are two strong teams, so it’s going to be a good match in the weekend.”

Kuwait will rely on No. 1 player 35-year-old Mohammad Gharreb, who according to PH coaching staff is “still a very dangerous” player, beating world ranked opponents in Davis Cup ties.

Also in the Kuwait team are Abdulrhaman Alawadhi, Abdulhamid Mubarak and Abdulhameed Alshatti.

“For sure we are facing a very good team and we’re looking forward to the matches, it’s not gonna be easy matches,” said Gharreb.

Team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier, who is also the Philippine Tennis Association chair, displayed optimism for the team which will have a new non-playing captain in collegiate champion coach Karl Santamaria.

World juniors No. 9 Jeson Patrombon and former Australian Open juniors doubles champion Francis Casey Alcantara will play major roles this time after several stints in the Davis Cup team. Treat Huey, World No. 30 in doubles, arrived Wednesday to suit up for the doubles team again.