Mamiit caps RP Cuppers' win over Hong Kong

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am Cecil Mamiit outlasted Martin Sayer of Hong Kong, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 9-7, to give the Philippines a semifinals berth in the Asia-Oceania Zone Group II Davis Cup competitions at the Victioria Park in Hong Kong Sunday.

The 32-year-old Mamiit saved one match point in the fourth set, lost two of his in the fifth frame but came through with an ace to claim the hard-earned victory after four hours and 10 minutes.

The win reduced the fifth match of the best-of-five tie between Fil-Am Treat Conrad Huey and Hiu Tung Yu to a mere exhibition game.

Sayer earlier gave the hosts a 1-0 lead when he overpowered Huey in the first singles match last Friday, 6-5, 7-6 (0), 6-2.

But Mamiit, the back-to-back Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, swept his three straight matches, including a 7-6 (2), 6-1, 6-1 rout of Yu in the rain-delayed second singles match and a partnership with Huey for a 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (4) win over Lai Xiao-Peng and Sayer in the doubles to give the Philippines a 2-1 lead.

The victory thus kept the Philippines’ domination of Hong Kong, which it has beaten in six meetings.

The Philippines will meet Pakistan in the semifinals slated July 8-10 in Pakistan.

The Pakistanis advanced on Saturday with a 3-0 sweep of Oman after Aisam Qureshi and Aqeel Khan defeated Khalid Al Nabhani and Mohammed Al Nabhani, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.

In Friday’s opening singles Qureshi bested Khalid, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2, and Khan hammered out a come-from-behind 4-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 win over Mohammed.

The loss sent Hong Kong to a relegation tie with Oman, also on July 8-10, with the winner keeping its seat in Group II and the loser demoted to Group III.