MANILA -- Thailand stamped its class over the Philippines, 4-1, in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 2 semifinal round at the indoor clay court of the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) in Paco, Manila on Sunday.
Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) medalist Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul celebrated his birthday with a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 victory over Jeson Patrombon while Palaphon Kovapitukted downed John Bryan Decasa Otico, 6-4, 6-3, in the reverse singles matches to wrap up the best-of-five tie.
The 6-foot-3 Trongcharoenchaikul, the world's No. 433 singles player and bronze winner in the men's singles and doubles (with Kittipong Wachiramanowong) events in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), fired 11 aces to prevail over Patrombon after 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Patrombon, on the other hand, has committed seven double faults, including three in the third set, while Trongcharoenchaikul had only three.
Earlier, the Ratiwatana twins Sanchai and Sonchat outplayed Francis Casey Alcantara and Johnny Arcilla, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1, in the doubles match.
Sonchai, the world's No. 101 doubles player while Sonchat, who is ranked No. 123, are the reigning SEAG doubles champions.
Thailand and the Philippines split the opening singles on Saturday after Trongcharoenchaikul defeated the 2017 PCA Open champion Otico, 6-3, 6-4.
Patrombon, meanwhile, scored a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Jirat Navasirisomboon to avenge his 6-2, 6-7 (4), 1-6, 1-6 defeat in their semifinal encounter last year in Thailand.
For the second time, the Thais have asserted their supremacy at the PCA clay court where the team of Vittaya Samrej, Danai Udomchoke and Srichapan siblings Narathorn and Paradorn prevailed over the Philippine squad composed of Joseph Lizardo, Robert Angelo, Adelo Abadia and Bryan Juinio, 4-1, in the quarterfinal round in 1998.
Thailand and the Philippines are now 4-4 in their head-to-head record.
The Thais defeated the Filipinos, 5-0, in the semifinal round which was held at the National Tennis Development Center hard court in Nonthaburi province last year, while the Philippines last won over Thailand, 4-1, during the semifinal round at the Plantation Bay clay court in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu five years ago.
Thailand will face the winner between Hong Kong and Lebanon in the final round scheduled on September 15-16. The winner of the final round will be promoted to Group 1 in 2019.
"I am proud of the boys, especially Jeson who stood his ground against Wishaya," said non-playing captain Cris Cuarto, who steered the Philippines to a 4-1 victory over Indonesia last February. (PNA)
