Top Southeast Asian side Thailand buried the Philippines to a huge 0-2 hole, as AJ Lim and Jeson Patrombon absorbed losses in the opening day of the 2017 Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group II second tie, Friday evening at the National Tennis Development Center, Nonthanburi, Thailand.
Reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player Lim fought hard against Wichaya Trongcharoenchaikul, but fell short in three sets, 6-7, 4-6, 3-6. The 21-year-old Thai had some problems with his first-serve percentage in the opening set. However, when the hometown stalwart got his groove, he peppered the younger Filipino with aces.
In the second singles match, Patrombon started well as he held on to his service games en route to a 6-2 win in the first set.
However, when Jirat Navasirisomboon made a run on his own serves in the second set, the Thai pulled off a win in tiebreak. The 21-year-old then used this momentum to finish off the returning Patrombon in two 6-1 sets.
The Philippines needs to win the doubles match tomorrow to keep their campaign alive. PJ Tierro and Jeson Patrombon will face world-ranked Sanchai at Sonchat Ratiwatana.
