RP Cuppers unfazed by foes’ height edge

Literally, the Philippines faces a very tall order against Uzbekistan at the start of their Asia/Oceania Zone Group 1 Davis Cup tie today at the PCA indoor courts in Paco, Manila.

In yesterday’s drawing of lots, the difference in height and heft was evident as Uzbekistan’s No. 2 player, Farruhk Dustov, dwarfed the country’s top player, Cecil Mamiit.

They will face each other in the second singles match to be preceded by the 10 a.m. opening singles between RP’s No. 2 player, PJ Tierro, and Uzbekistan’s top bet, Dennis Istomin.

Tierro, at 6-foot-1, is the tallest in the RP team, just about as tall as Istomin. Dustov is towering at 6-foot-3 while Mamiit, Eric Taino and Johnny Arcilla are around 5-foot-8.

Still, RP non-playing team captain Manny Tecson is unfazed.

“It’s not the height,” said the former Davis Cupper, taking over from Martin Misa, the long-time skipper of the RP team who has begged off this time to attend to his business.

“And it’s not the ranking either. We may have the low ranking, but we are high in spirits. We have no fear. This is the Davis Cup. Anything can happen,” Tecson said.

Istomin is ranked 156th in the world, and Dustov 259th. Their two other teammates, Savvar Ikramov and Vaja Uzakov are at 708 and 823. Mamiit is at 522, the only player in the RP side with a world ranking.

“Remember that when Roland So defeated Japan’s Shuzo Matsuoka then he was ranked 800 plus in the world, and the Japanese superstar was No. 35 in the world,” Tecson said.

“That’s why we need to push them. Push every match longer. Tomorrow will be crucial. Any coach will be too happy with a 2-0 lead but we will take a 1-1 tie anytime. And then try harder in the doubles,” he said.

The reverse singles will be played Sunday. 

The court surface, shell-clay, and the intense heat at the PCA indoor courts should serve the Filipinos in good stead. But Dustov said there shouldn’t be a problem.

“I like clay courts. It’s my favorite surface. And the heat? I think we’re ready for it. We’ve been here for a number of days already,” said Dustov, looking and sounding so confident.

The winner of this best-of-five tie automatically stays in Group 1, while the loser fights for survival against the loser of the ongoing Kazakhstan-Taipei tie. The loser in that round falls into Group 2.

The Philippines failed in its bid to crash into the World Group when it was swept, 5-0, by Japan last February at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. Mamiit said it’s time to move on.

“What is done is done against Japan,” he said yesterday. “This is a new tie for us. This is another opportunity.”

Tecson pulled off quite a surprise during the draw when he opted for Tierro, instead of Taino, as the No. 2 player.

“I made that decision based on PJ’s performance over the last three weeks. I feel he’s doing very good,” he said of Tierro who will be starting a tie for the Philippines for the fourth time.