Indonesia takes 2-1 Davis Cup lead over Philippines

New Zealand’s Daniel King-Turner, right, and Michael Venus play against India’s Vishnu Vardhan and Divij Sharan, unseen, during their Davis Cup doubles tennis match in Chandigarh, India, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. AP/Saurabh Das

JAKARTA, Indonesia—Indonesia established a 2-1 lead over the Philippines in the second day of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group II final in Jakarta after winning the men’s doubles on Saturday.

Indonesia’s Christopher Rungkat and Elbert Sie defeated the visiting duo of Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 at the Gelora Bung Karno tennis stadium.

“I’m satisfied with my performance today. Elbert also played well. We are both delighted to win this important match,” Rungkat, ranked 292 in the world, told reporters at a press conference.

In the opening singles match on Friday, Rungkat beat Francis Casey Alcantara 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 but in the second match, the Philippines drew level after doubles specialist Treat Huey saw off Elbert Sie 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.

Indonesian captain Bonit Wiryawan said he hopes that Rungkat will be able to defeat Treat Huey, ranked 39 in the world in doubles, in the first singles match on Sunday.

“Christopher must win the first game tomorrow,” he said, adding that Rungkat will play with Huey at 0300GMT, followed by Elbert Sie, who will face Francis Casey Alcantara.

The overall winner will move up to Group I in 2013.

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