World No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas closed out Jeson Patrombon in two sets, 6-2, 6-1, to lift Greece into the Davis Cup 2020 World Group II, Saturday at Philippine Columbian Association.
It also relegated the Philippines back to Asia-Oceania Group III.
Patrombon started strong and fought toe-to-toe against the world-ranked Greek star, exchanging service games up to a 2-all deadlock in the first set.
Tsitsipas then adjusted his service and slowly pressed on the attack of the Filipino. The Greek forced the latter to commit mistakes, then eventually bagged the opening frame, 6-2.
Patrombon had to fend off Tsitsipas in his first service game of the second set to level at a game apiece, but it eventually became his last hurrah in this fourth rubber.
The 21-year-old Greek once more leaned on his service to finally pack up the victory, as Patrombon struggled to even return the former’s serve. Another sharp serve from Tsitsipas turned into a Patrombon error as the set and the match ended at 6-1.
Tsitsipas was pleased to close out the tie for Greece saying, “I think I played okay, enough to get the win,” he said. “The match pretty much went the same as yesterday. [Patrombon] was making too many unforced errors.”
The top player expressed his readiness to represent Greece especially they were finally back in Group II. “It is the first time since 2014 that we are in Group II, so we can’t wait who our next opponents will be. Hopefully, we will Mike [Pervolarakis] in the next tie so we can have a high-performance team.”
In the dead rubber, Davis Cup rookie Jed Olivarez showed up well for the Philippines against Petros Tsitsipas, even as the Greek wrapped the tie at 6-4, 7-5.
The Philippines will be back to take on regional rivals in Group III either in June or September later in the year.
