PH hosts Davis tie vs Pakistan

THE INTERNATIONAL Tennis Federation has ruled that the Davis Cup tie between the Philippines and Pakistan will be played here due to security concerns in Pakistan.

But that’s just about it for the good news.

The Philippines will be facing Pakistan in the Asia/Oceania Group 2 with highest ranked player Jeson Patrombon a doubtful starter and the visitors coming in with world top 100 player Aisam ul-Haq Qureshi.

The tie will also be held right smack on Holy Week from April 6 to 8 and goes back to the Philippine Columbian Association shell courts for the first time in two years.

Philippine Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva said the Philippine Tennis Association tried to ask the ITF to move the date but the international body said it was a “worldwide schedule” which is synchronized with the men’s circuit.

Villanueva said the Philta originally planned to hold the tie in Angeles City and gain mileage from the city’s famed Holy Week tradition.

“But we were only left with barely two weeks to prepare,” added Villanueva.

Qureshi didn’t play the last time the Philippines and Pakistan collided here in 2009. The country has won four of five ties against them.

Patrombon is nursing an injured ankle, twisting it during a Futures tournament in Japan from which he eventually dropped out.