RP-Tajikistan semis tie reset

The crucial semifinal round of the Asia-Oceania Zone Group III Davis Cup competitions was called off yesterday due to intermittent rains with host Philippines and Kazakhstan holding on to similar 1-0 leads over their respective rivals at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Weather permitting, action resumes at 9:30 a.m. today as the Philippines, out to regain its spot in Group II, and Kazakhstan, slowly turning out to be a force to reckon with, try to wrap up the best-of-three ties and move on to the higher group for next year.

Johnny Arcilla, the country‘s top netter, broke the ice for the Philippines against Tajikistan, fashioning out a 4-2, 4-2, 4-0 victory over Sergei Makashin. Adelo Abadia was down by a set (2-4) against Tajikistan’s top player in Mansur Yakhyaev when play was suspended at 1 p.m. due to rains.

In case Abadia fails to get past Yakhyaev, then it will all boil down to the doubles match where the Philippines’ Rolando Ruel, Jr. and Joseph Victorino, who have yet to drop a set in victories over Singapore, Bahrain and Sri Lanka, will be pitted against Dilshod Sharifi and Makashin.

RP non-playing team captain Joseph Lizardo said he will most likely stick it out with Ruel and Victorino for the possibly deciding doubles.

"They’re really playing well as a unit over the past few days. As it is, the lineup stays," said Lizardo.

Kazakhstan drew first blood against Singapore, with Pavel, Baranov posting a 4-1, 5-4, 4-1 victory over Yuan Kiang Hui. Alexey Kedryuk, the top player from Kazakhstan with a world ranking of 650, was preparing for his match against Tun-Yi Kho when play was stopped. Tournament officials formally postponed the action for the day at 4:30 p.m.

After yesterday’s postponement of the semis matches, officials are now thinking of scrapping the finals match and the rest of the matches originally scheduled for today since they will only be for the placings.

"What’s important here is just to determine the top two teams after the semis since they will move up to Group II," said Philta’s Ajay Pathak.

The tournament has continued to witness great action with the implementation of the shortened scoring system and the use of Dunlop precision balls, slightly bigger but with no added weight. The bigger balls travel slower, leading to longer rallies and less errors. These type of balls are being used only in Groups III and IV of the Davis Cup for the first time.

"The players are beginning to like it," said Lizardo, a veteran of the Davis Cup and formerly the country‘s top player. "This modification being experimented by the International Tennis Federation has led to more exciting matches, especially for the fans who want to see longer rallies, and this is good for us."