Thailand Hopes to Cruise Past Sri Lanka in Davis Cup
Host Thailand expected to stamp their authority over Sri Lanka as the two nations square off this weekend for their Davis Cup Zone Asia/Oceania Qualifying Group II tie opening round at the LTAT National Tennis Development Centre.
The Kingdom side which has never lost to the visitors in all six previous meetings will rely on the new generation of singles players led by No 1 Puriwat Chatpatcharoen and No 2 Pruchya Isarow with the combination of experienced doubles team of Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana.
While debutant Puriwat and Pruchya are ranked 729 th and 799 th respectively with the twins at 118 th in the doubles, Sri Lankan top player Sharmal Dissanayake is No 1,578 in the world. His teammates Harshana Godamanna, Dineshkanthan Thangarajah and Yasitha De Silva have no rankings.
Thai coach Danai Udomchoke was confident that his side had the edge in terms of experience and rankings which should benefit his players to clear of this first round hurdle.
“After almost two weeks of training, there are just a few things to fix for our singles players and they should be ready to compete before the tie starts. As for the doubles players, there’s nothing to worry as our team is obviously better,” viewed former national player Danai.
“Overall we have a better team, judging from rankings and experience. However we will not underestimate the opponents as they have some Davis Cup experience as well. Besides, Davis Cup is the best of five set competition, our young singles players will have to stay focused and have great fitness,” added Danai.
Twenty-year-old Puriwat, the country’s new No 1 player, has never before been recruited to the national squad even foe the junior team. The Bangkokian, who reached three Men’s Futures semi-finals last year, admitted he had some butterflies in his stomach representing Thailand for the first time.
“I’m quite excited about the Davis Cup as it will be my first time in the national team. But I have been really well prepared for the tie and will give my all to produce points for Thailand,” said the Thai No 1.
Sonchat and Sanchai echoed the same voice of Danai that Thailand should prevail in this opening tie and were confident they would yield one point from the doubles rubber.
“We are not certain yet how Sri Laka will nominate their players but we think Godamanna should play both the singles and doubles. With our ability, we should beat them and we will encourage our young players to do the same,” the twins said.
Godamanna said his team had been in Thailand for two weeks in hope to pose a stiff challenge against the hosts. Sri Lanka defeated Lebanon in a relegation play-off last year to stay in Group II while Thailand lost to China in Group I play-off to fall into Group I.
