Thais claim tie with doubles win

Team Philippines came up short against the seasoned Thailand doubles team on Saturday and lost, 6-4, 7-5, to fall into a 0-3 hole and lose the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 2 tie for the third straight time against its regional nemesis.

Seven-time Southeast Asian Games champions Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana routed Francis Casey Alcantara and Jurence Zosimo Mendoza, giving the Thais the win regardless of the outcome of the reverse singles.

The Philippines nonplaying captain Chris Cuarto said that was the only tie for the country this year as the International Tennis Federation began its new Davis Cup rules.

“We still don’t know what happens next as per the ITF referee, we only have one tie this year,” said Cuarto.

Alcantara described the new rules as “weird” as they don’t know whether the Philippines slides into a relegation tie or stay in Group 2 until next year.

Jeson Patrombon and Alberto Lim bowed to their respective opponents in the opening singles on Friday.

Bryan Otico was playing the dead rubber against Kasidit Samrej at press time.