THAILAND aims to get a crucial point in the doubles when it clashes with the Philippines in their coming Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group 2 tie this weekend at the Philippine Columbian Association indoor courts.
“That (doubles) will be one of the points that we expect to win,” said Thai coach Peerapat Docmaiklee during a pre-match conference yesterday at the PCA grounds in Paco, Manila.
Docmaiklee is keeping their Filipino rivals guessing over their choice of players until Friday’s draw of lots.
But the Philippines feels it has a good chance of beating the Thais in their semifinal encounter.
Filipino coach Chris Cuarto said the team’s familiarity with the conditions of the shell court after three weeks of practice has made the squad ready for anything.
“I would say that most of the players are comfortable with the surface. Most of them know how to play in the PCA,” said Cuarto.
With the matches played on home soil, Cuarto feels that they can follow up on their 4-1 win over Indonesia in the first round two months ago at the Gelora Bung Karno Tennis Stadium Complex in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Thais will be fielding a young team in the tie, with Sanchai Ratiwatana being the most experienced.
Also seeing action are Sonchat Ratiwatana, Palapoon Kovapitukted, Jirat Navasirisomboon and Wishaya Trongcharooencharakul.
The Ratiwatana twins are expected to make an impression in the doubles if they are fielded in.
That’s because Sanchai is ranked 101 in the world, while Sonchai is at no. 123.
The Philippines is ahead in its head-to-head confrontation with Thailand at 4-3, but the Filipinos absorbed a 5-0 whitewashing in Nonthaburi, Thailand last year.
The Philippines will rally behind the games of veteran Johnny Arcilla, who is the oldest at 38, replacing Jurence Mendoza.
He will have the help of teammates Francis Casey Alcantara, Jeson Patrombon, John Bryan Otico and reigning UAAP MVP Alberto Lim Jr.