THE Philippines will have a good chance of beating Thailand in their next encounter in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group 2 tie.
The matches will be played on home soil and Team Philippines will be able to choose the playing surface that will suit them.
National coach Chris Cuarto said this a few days after the Philippines pulled off a 4-1 win over Indonesia in the first round at the Gelora Bung Karno Tennis Stadium Complex in Jakarta, Indonesia.
In the second round against Thailand, Cuarto said the Thais will be fielding a young team during their encounter slated on April 6 and 7.
“We have good chances, specially now that we are playing it at home,” said Cuarto.
The Philippines leads their head-to-head confrontation with Thailand at 4-3.
Last year, the Philippines took the tie with a 5-0 verdict in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Last weekend, newcomer John Otico wrapped up the Philippines’ campaign with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Anthony Susanto in the fifth rubber match.
On the other hand, the Thais pulled off a 3-2 beating of Pakistan to arrange a showdown with the Philippines.
They are expected to field in two of their best netters in Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul and Kittiphong Wachiramanowong.
Trongcharoenchaikil is ranked 457 in the world in the singles, while Wachiramanowong is ranked at 1282.
Meanwhile, Otico’s two-set triumph provided the Filipinos a 4-1 win over Indonesia in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group 2 tie.