The Philippines grabbed a lifeline in their Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group II semi-final against Taiwan yesterday, winning the doubles rubber to cut their deficit to 2-1 going into today’s reverse singles in the best-of-five match.
Ruben Gonzales and doubles specialist Treat Huey rallied from a set down to defeat Taiwanese duo Hung Jui-chen and Wang Chieh-fu 6-7 (7/9), 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in 3 hours, 21 minutes at the Philippine Columbian Association in Manila.
The Philippine pairing saved eight of nine break points and converted five of 19, firing down 10 aces and winning 151 of the 272 points contested.
Photo: EPA
Taiwan took a 2-0 lead in the semi-final on Friday after world No. 227 Chen Ti defeated Ruben Gonzales 6-2, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the first singles rubber and Francis Casey Alcantara retired with world No. 529 Huang Liang-chi leading the second singles rubber 6-1, 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 1-0.
Chen has the chance to wrap up the victory when he takes on Alcantara in the first reverse singles rubber in the Philippine capital today. Should it be required, Huang is then due to take on Gonzales in the final singles rubber.
The winners will face Thailand in the final on Sept. 16 to Sept. 18 after the hosts took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the other semi-final in Nonthaburi yesterday.
Twins Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana defeated Vietnamese duo Nam Hoang Ly and Thien Nguyen Hoang 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in 2 hours, 8 minutes in the doubles rubber yesterday.
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