Underdog PH vows to ‘hit back’ vs Greece

The Philippines’ Davis Cup squad isn’t sure if it will face World No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas when it collides with Greece in a World Group 2 battle next weekend.

Nonplaying captain Chris Cuarto only knows one thing for sure.

The Filipinos will be “hitting back” regardless of who shows up on the opposite side of the court.

Of course, the Nationals hope Tsitsipas will suit up for Greece so they can relish the experience of battling against a world-rated star. But, as Cuarto put it, the runner-up to 17-time Grand Slam champ in a recent tournament in Dubai “has more to lose coming here” to see action in a low-tier Davis Cup tie.

“I would like to see him play, but until I see him with my own eyes, we can’t be too sure,” Cuarto said.

Tsitsipas was listed in the official Davis Cup lineup for Greece along with his brother Petros, Michail Pervolarakis, Markos Kalovelonis and nonplaying captain Dimitris Chatzinikolaou.

The Philippines will field Jeson Patrombon, Alberto Lim Jr., Francis Casey Alcantara, Eric Olivarez Jr. and Ruben Gonzales.

The country is an overwhelming underdog but Cuarto said the tie is “still a tennis match and I can assure you our players will be hitting back.”

“So anything can happen,” he added.

If Tsitsipas plays, he “is easily good for two singles wins already,” Cuarto said.

After winning the Dubai Championships over the weekend, Novak Djokovic lauded the 21-year-old Greek, saying “he has the potential of becoming World No. 1.”