Cuppers succumb to Kiwis in Day 1

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines fell short and dropped the opening singles against New Zealand yesterday in their Asia Oceania Zone Group 1 Davis Cup tie in Hawera, New Zealand.

Fil-Am Ruben Gonzales was first to fall, bowing to Jose Statham, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, and failing to give the Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Philippine team the needed headstart.

Cecil Mamiit, at 35 still serving as the backbone of the Philippine Davis Cup team, then lost a grueling match against New Zealand’s top player, Michael Venus, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (4), 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

The twin defeats left the Philippines in a deep 2-0 hole, and with a very difficult task of sweeping today’s doubles and tomorrow’s reverse singles to remain in Group 1 for the third straight year.

Otherwise, the Philippines ends up facing Chinese Taipei in a knockout tie later this year, where the loser eventually falls back to Group 2 of the Davis Cup.

Gonzales, 25 and ranked No. 830 by the ATP, failed to get his game going against Statham who carried a world singles ranking of 556.

Upcoming Jeson Patrombon was supposed to play the opening singles but was replaced by Gonzales an hour before the match.

Mamiit, who now serves as one of Maria Sharapova’s hitting partners, tried hard against Venus, who is 12 years younger than him, but just couldn’t finish the job.

Venus broke Mamiit in the seventh game of the fifth set to go up 4-3, and cruise to victory.

Gonzales will team up with veteran Johnny Arcilla in today’s doubles where they will be pitted against Artem Sitak and Marcus Daniell.

But it’s highly possible that Mamiit will be tapped for today’s doubles and probably team up with Gonzales in the match the Philippines can’t afford to lose.