PH clinches tie vs Indonesia behind Gonzales

Ruben Gonzales. Marc Anthony Reyes/INQUIRER

Ruben Gonzales fashioned out a methodical 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, over Indonesian David Agung Susanto Sunday to clinch the tie for the Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cup team at Philippine Columbian Association indoor courts.

The 30-year-old Gonzales overpowered Susanto, who played for three straight days, and scored an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the Asia/Oceania Group 2 tie.

Alberto Lim Jr., was playing Aditya Hari Sasongko in the dead rubber at presstime.

Now the Philippines is waiting for the winner between Thailand and Kuwait for its semifinal opponent.

“It was really good. I think it’s pretty high-level, I mean he was playing three matches that was good effort,” said Gonzales, who will fly to Australia Monday for an ITF Challenger.

The Virginia-born Gonzales improved his Davis Cup record to 10-5 and was untouchable all match long, dumping nine aces against the Indonesian.

The country’s premier doubles players gave the Philippines a thorough 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Susanto and Sunu-Wahyu Trijati for a 2-1 lead Saturday.

Gonzales made it 1-1 Friday in the second opening singles after drubbing Sasongko (6-2, 6-2, 6-4) following the sorry loss of Lim to Susanto (3-6, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-1 (retired).