Filipinos drop opening singles to Thais

Team Philippines took a huge hit in its latest Davis Cup tie with Thailand on Friday after losing the opening singles in their Asia/Oceania Group 2 clash in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Jeson Patrombon and Alberto Lim bowed to superior foes, winning just a combined set that pushed the Filipinos into a must-win scenario in the doubles on Saturday.

Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul handily defeated the 18-year-old Lim, 6-4, 7-6 (4), while Palaphoom Kovapitukted overcame Patrombon, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, as the Thais come to within a win of clinching the tie for the third straight time.

Now, the Filipinos’ chances of staying in the game lies on the shoulders of Francis Casey Alcantara and Jurence Zosimo Mendoza in Saturday’s doubles match.

But the Philippine doubles team will be up against formidable twins Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana, the winners of the last seven Southeast Asian Games men’s doubles gold medals.

The Philippines’ head-to-head with Thailand is at 4-4, but the Filipinos suffered back-to-back defeats before this tie.