RP set to advance in Davis Cup

Tennis ace Cecil Mamiit said yesterday the Philippines is ready for promotion to Group I in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania zone but Kuwait is a major stumbling block in the advance to the next level.

"We’ve gotten this far so we deserve to move up," said Mamiit after powering the Philippines over New Zealand in the Group II semifinals recently to book a ticket to the finals against host Kuwait on Sept. 21-23.

"We know we have the talent and drive. It’s now all up to us performing well and hopefully, the cards fall into place. A huge factor will be for us to stay healthy and well-trained."

A win over Kuwait will catapult the Philippines into Group I outright.

Mamiit said he can’t guarantee a victory over Kuwait and expects a tough series because the hosts are eager to advance to Group I for the first time in 19 years of Davis Cup action.

Kuwait is led by world No. 482 Mohammad Ghareeb who has a 28-7 record in Davis Cup singles play. Ghareeb, 26, beat Adelo Abadia, 7-5, 6-3, 7-5, and Johnny Arcilla, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2, to score Kuwait’s only wins in a 2-3 loss to the Philippines in a Group II tie in Manila in 2002.

At the Asian Games in Doha last year, Ghareeb defeated Mamiit, 7-5, 7-6, but the Philippines won over Kuwait, 2-1, in the round of 16 after Eric Taino downed Abdullah Magdas, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, and Mamiit and Taino combined to trounce Ghareeb and Magdas, 6-2, 6-2, in doubles.

Mamiit urged the Filipino community in Kuwait and neighboring Middle East countries to watch the coming Davis Cup tie.

"There is a huge community of Filipinos in Kuwait so it would be nice to get a solid showing of support in the stands when we play," said Mamiit. "It’s always great to feel that people are behind you."

Mamiit described Taino’s performance in the New Zealand tie as outstanding. Taino blasted Simon Rea, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4, then joined Mamiit to whip Daniel King-Turner and Rea, 5-7, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 6-2.

"Eric had an answer for everything," said Mamiit. "He was aggressive and set up his points well. He had a calm flow to his game and ended points at the net. I didn’t expect him to breeze but I knew he was going to do great things. Rea was probably surprised at how well Eric played. Even the New Zealand coach commented he played so well."

Mamiit said acclimatizing to Auckland temperature and synthetic court conditions was critical.

"Our experience on the tour gives us a big edge when we play on the road," said Mamiit. "We traveled early to New Zealand to prepare. I don’t think New Zealand did a good job of scouting Eric. I’m glad he performed the way he did and it was such a boost."

The come-from-behind doubles win was a thriller, said Mamiit.

"We played too eager and wanted to take it to them," recounted Mamiit. "We had a rough start. We trailed in both sets with a break down but we kept on clawing back. We were down, 2-4, in the second set tiebreaker then Eric hit a forehand winner to tie it."

To wrap up the series, P. J. Tierro beat Matt Simpson, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, and Arcilla lost to Jose Statham, 6-2, 6-4.

"P. J. played really well," said Mamiit. "He just needs to play as many weeks as possible. P. J. and Johnny haven’t played a week yet this year. They’re constantly practicing and they’re working hard but they should use the energy in training against other players around the world. That’s how to gain experience."