Petros Tsitsipas rose to the occasion and dominated Philippine top singles player Jeson Patrombon, 6-2, 6-1, to give Greece a commanding 2-0 lead in the Davis Cup World Group II Playoffs tie, Friday at the Philippine Columbian Association.
The 19-year-old Greek was off to a flying start after taking down Patrombon’s opening service game, before going on to lead at 4-0. The 2019 Southeast Asian Games double medalist Filipino, however, found his rhythm and snatched two games in the first frame — the last one off several breakpoints, to extend the set at 5-2.
Tsitsipas, nonetheless, got the break back and eventually wrapped up the first set 6-2. This, while taking care of tightening right forearm, which was eventually treated during the break.
Patrombon won the first game of the second set after finally closing it out on his serve. The Filipino fought toe-to-toe in most of the rallies in the next six games, but too many unforced errors cost him the match as Tsitsipas snagged the victory at 6-2.
“It was a very good game from the start to finish,” stated the 19-year-old Greek upstart. “The mindset, I think I started pretty good, and it’s important for the rest of the match. I didn’t do a lot of mistakes. I didn’t give him opportunities to attack and do his game.
“From [Patrombon’s] side, I think he didn’t play his best, which made me go for even more and lose out the match in the second. He is a good player, but today the game he chose to play didn’t go his way like the way he wanted.”
Both Tsitsipas and Patrombon will play again on Saturday, barring any substitutions.
The doubles matches will be played first at 11 a.m. on that day, pitting Philippine veterans Francis Alcantara and Ruben Gonzales against Greece’s Markos Kalovelonis and Tsitsipas.
If needed, world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas will take on Patrombon in the first reverse singles match. The potential fifth rubber will be contested between Petros Tsitsipas and AJ Lim.
