True to his words, Ruben Gonzales of the Philippines relied on his big serve, forehand winners down the line, and his clay court familiarity to rout world no. 207 Danai Udomchoke of Thailand, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, in the second round of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group II tie yesterday at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.
“I played it point by point. I played a good match,” said Gonzales, whose victory gave the Philippines the win against Thailand. “This is the biggest win I ever had so far. It feels unbelievable. I feel exhausted but it’s unbelievable.”
Last Friday, the Philippines won the first singles match when cramps forced Wishaya Trocharoenchaikul to retire against Gonzales, 6-7, 6-4, 3-0. Thailand leveled the tournament at 1-all when Udomchoke defeated Johnny Arcilla, 6-3, 6-2, 1-6, 6-2, in the second singles match.
On Saturday, the Philippines took a 2-1 lead by winning the doubles match with Francis Casey Alcantara and Treat Conrad Huey thrashing the Thailand pair of Nuttanon Kadchapanan and Pruchya Isarow, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6.
Gonzales’ win gave the Philippines a 3-1 win and rendered the second reverse singles match pitting Alcantara, playing in Arcilla’s place, against Trocharoenchaikul non bearing.
Still, the Philippines won, 4-1, with Alcantara winning the fifth match, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0, against Trocharoenchaikul, who is celebrating his birthday today. He was treated to a birthday song by the crowd and handed a birthday cake by the Philippine team before the reverse singles matches began.
The Philippines will now advance to the third and final round against New Zealand, which the Philippines is supposed to be hosting.
New Zealand, who played against Pakistan, was handed the win after the referee declared the court in Myanmar unplayable. Pakistan was supposed to take care of the court as host of that tie. However, Pakistan filed a protest against the ruling favoring New Zealand.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said the city is willing to host another Davis Cup.
“Of course! Nganong dili? Murag swertehon man kung anhi sa Lapu-Lapu,” Mayor Radaza said.
Plantation Bay Resort & Spa general manager Efren Belarmino earlier offered the resort as a venue for another Davis Cup.
Udomchoke, meanwhile, said the Gonzales had an advantage playing on clay court.
“I don’t know what else to do after the second and then in the third set. I couldn’t control the game, he’s controlling everything after,” Udomchoke said. “I couldn’t come in and hit my favorite shot at all. I couldn’t hit more backhand down the line.”
Udomchoke had beaten the likes of former world no.1 Lleyton Hewitt and Tommy Haas on clay court also in a Davis Cup tournament hosted by Germany.