For the fourth straight year, the Philippine Davis Cup team could not get over the hump.
The strong Thai doubles tandem of Sonchai and Sanchat Ratiwatana flexed their muscles and swept Filipinos PJ Tierro and Jeson Patrombon in three sets, Saturday afternoon at The National Tennis Development Center, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
The world-ranked hosts used their effectiveness on service to pummel the Filipinos in the first set at 6-1.
Tierro and Patrombon turned aggressive in the following set and registered strong numbers on the first serve of both teams. Nonetheless, the Ratiwatanas took the second with a solitary break advantage at 6-4. The Thais then returned to their impeccable service and closed out the match at 6-2.
The reverse dead rubbers will be played tomorrow, with Patrombon expected to face Wichaya Trongcharoenchaikul, while AJ Lim closes the tie against Jirat Navasirisomboon.
