Taiwanese netters eye tough series

Members of the Chinese Taipei Davis Cup team assured of a tough and engaging series when they face Filipino Cuppers in their Asia Oceania Zone Group 1 knockout tie starting tomorrow at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Mactan.

The winner in this tie will stay in Group 1 while the loser will be relegated to Group 2.

“We’ve tried to get ready, we’ve tried to get the best condition and we are looking forward to the match this Friday. We need to focus on each match, each point, take it step by step and start with the first match,” Jimmy Wang said.

Except for Wang, the Chinese Taipei Team is fielding the same lineup that beat Cebuana Lhuillier Philippine Davis Cup Team in last year’s Asia Oceania Zone Group 1 Regulation Play-Off. Wang is replacing Tsung-Hua Yang who has opted to stay in Taiwan for a major tournament along with Chinese Taipei’s No.1 Yen Hsun Lu.

Wang will join Ti Chen, Hsin-Han Lee, Chu-Huan Yi and team captain Chia-Yen Tsai.

LINEUP

The change of lineup could be an advantage for the RP team which has replaced the country’s top player Johnny Arcilla with Jeson Patrombon. Arcilla may still be able to see action depending on the outcome of the captains’ meeting (held yesterday afternoon), according to team captain Cecil Mamiit.

Returning to represent the Philippines are Treat Conrad Huey and Ruben Gonzales.

Yang had defeated Huey and Mamiit the last time they met while Lu is a tough opponent having beaten the likes of Andy Roddick and Andy Murray.

Huey is ranked No. 59 in ATP doubles while Patrombon reached No. 9 in the world junior rankings last year.

Tsai said that the humid weather, the shell court and familiarity of the court could be the Philippines’ advantage over his squad.

The team captain also revealed that they had trained in a clay court in Taiwan for a couple of months especially Wang in preparation for the shell court as Wang had been playing mostly on hardcourts.

“We have a clay court in Taiwan but not a shell court like the one here,” Tsai said.

“The fact that the RP team has also played in this same court against Japan last March is also a big advantage for the Philippines,” Tsai added.

MAMIIT CONFIDENT

The home crowd that the RP Team is banking on is not a problem since, according to Tsai, his players are used to such crowds.

The Chinese Taipei coach said that his team may look strong on paper but he is wary about Mamiit.

“Cecil is playing better and he is in good condition,” Tsai said.

Wang, for his part, said he is expecting a very tough match against Mamiit and Huey. But Huey said all of teammates are equally good.

The Chinese Taipei team also appreciated the event’s venue.

“It’s perfect here. The resort is nice. Everything has been nice,” Wang said.

Mamiit reiterated his confidence in the RP team especially now that he has seen how each player has developed since the last time they were together.

“We’ve been here early. We’ve been working really hard, adjusting to the situation, finding positions for the players, we’ve been pushing each other and we are definitely ready,” Mamiit said.

Mamiit added that the final RP team lineup will be determined after today’s draw at the Lapu-lapu City Hall.