PH cuppers advance

AJ Lim stopped David Agung Susanto in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, to clinch for the Philippines its first-round Davis Cup tie against Indonesia in Jakarta on Sunday.

Earlier, Francis Casey Alcantara and Jurence Mendoza beat Susanto and Justin Barki, 7-6, 6-3, and John Otico scored a 6-3, 6-3 win over Anthony Susanto.

The Philippines will host Thailand in the second round on April 7 and 8.

In Paris, Adrian Mannarino sent defending champion France to the quarterfinals after sealing victory over the Netherlands, while Croatia knocked off Canada to follow Spain through.

Mannarino, the world No. 25, atoned for Friday’s loss to Thiemo de Bakker in the opening singles rubber by outlasting Robin Haase 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5, 6-7 (2/7), 7-5. —WITH A REPORT FROM AFP