Mamiit to face Ti in singles opener

For the second time in his Davis Cup career, Filipino-American Cecil Mamiit will once again play the first singles match this 10 a.m. at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa as the Philippines begin its knockout tie against Chinese Taipei in the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone Group 1.

Mamiit, who has retired from competing in the ATP, will go up against Chinese Taipei’s No.1 Ti Chen.

Mamiit is the Cebuana Lhuillier Philippine Davis Cup Team’s playing team captain. The rest of the team are world doubles no. 59 Treat Conrad Huey, world junior no. 17 Jeson Patrombon and Ruben Gonzales. Playing as reserve is the Philippine’s no.1 tennis player Johnny Arcilla.

Unlike the other members of the present Philippine Team, Arcilla does not have any international exposure. However, he has been undefeated in national men’s open competitions held around the country.

Mamiit said they are fielding the younger guys this time to give them the necessary exposure needed for the country’s future successes in the Davis Cup.

While Mamiit is no longer ranked in the ATP, Ti is the highest ranked player in this tournament at 293.

But Ti retired against Mamiit in their match last year while trailing in the match.

Mamiit’s win, however, was the Philippine’s sole triumph and Chinese Taipei went on to win the tie against the Philippines for the first time in Davis Cup history.

Mamiit’s name was drawn by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Corro Radaza.

Before the draw, Mamiit said he has no qualms about going first as he’d like to set the bar high for his teammates.

Huey, whom the Chinese Taipei team is wary of because of his doubles ranking, will go up against Jimmy Wang, also known as Yeu-Tzuoo Wang and ranked 389th in the world, in the second singles match today.

Elected to play doubles for the Philippines are Gonzales and Patrombon. They will go up against Wang and Chu Huan Yi tomorrow at 12 p.m.

On Sunday, the reverse matches will see Mamiit playing against Wang and Huey facing Ti, if necessary.

However, today’s lineup as well as the doubles tomorrow could still change as each team has the luxury of changing their lineup an hour before the tournament starts.

The winner in this tournament will remain in Group 1 while the loser will be relegated to Group II in the Asia Oceania Zone.

The Philippines got to this tie after losing to New Zealand while the Chinese Taipei bowed to China.