A comeback was completed to avert a bigger comeback.
Chinese Taipei’s Ti Chen bucked initial setbacks against Philippines’ Jeson Patrombon to turn the third singles match to his favor, 3-6 7-6 6-0 6-1, and consequently send his team to the promotional tie versus Thailand, Sunday at the Philippine Columbian Association.
Needing to win this match to force a deciding singles, Patrombon went guns blazing in the very first game. However, Chen was able to deny the Filipino upstart the service break and clinched the first game.
It was a sign of things to come in the opening frame as Patrombon finally broke Chen’s serve in the fourth game. Using this advantage, Patrombon cruised to the succeeding games with timely forehand winners. The Taiwanese could not get his serve going and ended up with three straight errors, including a double fault, to concede the first set to the Philippines.
Frustration crept in to Chen up to the first part of the second set. After coughing another forehand error that sailed wide, the World Top 200 player banged his racket to the ground. Patrombon took advantage of his opponent’s frustration and slowly built a huge 5-1 lead, as he broke three straight Chen service games.
That turned out to be his last hurrah.
After another call going Patrombon’s way, Chen just needed the changeover to calm his nerves and regain focus.
It was Patrombon’s turn this time to falter on his serve, and Chen crawled back in the match. Chen has started to get the lines on his shots and, on his turn at the first delivery, has registered service winners. One game at a time, Chinese Taipei ate up the lead, until it was level at 5 games apiece.
Nevertheless, neither Chen nor Patrombon could hold serve to finish the second set. Thus, the frame went into the tiebreak. After an exchange of points, the Philippines missed on three straight instances as Chen and Chinese Taipei won the extension and the set.
It was utter domination from Chen in the third set as he used the momentum he has built up in the latter part of the previous set. Patrombon had his chances in some rallies, but succumbed to a massive 6-0 score line.
In the fourth set, Patrombon again started well and almost tucked in the first game. Nonetheless, the visitor unleashed excellent serves once more. From there, Chen confidently took the remaining games and stopped Patrombon and the rest of the Philippines’ dreams of getting a chance at promotion to Group II.
After the tie, Chinese Taipei Team Captain Jinn-Yen Chang shared that they had a hard time playing here because of the conditions.
“We know [that] in the Philippines, [it is] very hot. It was difficult to play. However, our players have confidence to play long matches.” Chang believed that this confidence was what fuelled the team to clinch the tie.
The Taiwanese skipper praised the Filipinos for giving them a good fight. He, and the rest of the Chinese Taipei team, now looks forward to the promotional tie against Thailand. “We will meet and prepare for that tie,” he ended.
Philippine Davis Cup Team Patron and Cebuana Lhuillier owner Jean-Henri Lhullier expressed his words for the Nationals saying: “We had our chances in this match. Niño (Alcantara) had a 2-1 lead when cramps hit him. Jeson was controlling his match until late 2nd set. I’m still proud of our boys as they went toe-to-toe with their higher ranked opponents. We’ll bounce back next year.”
