By Kristel Satumbaga
Jeson Patrombon came through with a near-flawless game on a surface he loves so well as the Philippines salvaged a 1-1 draw with top seed Thailand in yesterday’s opening singles of their Asia Oceania Zone Group II second round tie at the Philippine Columbian Association shell-clay court.
Patrombon, nominated as the PH team’s No. 1 player, scored a masterful 6-2, 6-2 win over Thai No. 2 Jirat
Navasirisomboon in a game that saw him produce 3 aces and 9 service winners – not to mention a series of winners that left his rival shaking his head in disappointment.
“Medyo off siya ngayon so yung mga chances ko, kina-capitalize ko talaga,” said Patrombon, who picked up his sixth singles win against six losses in all the nine ties he played in the Davis Cup competition since 2011.
Having trained at the PCA courts for almost three weeks, Patrombon hinted of good things to come for the PH side when he broke Navasirisomboon’s service in the first game of their opening set.
That was all Patrombon needed to disarm the long-haired Thai as he produced more winners and passing shots that delighted the PCA crowd.
“Good start for us, Jeson was very patient he never allowed Jirat a space to attack,” said PH captain Chris Cuarto.
“He saw Jirat’s weakness, so binigay nya halos lahat ng bola sa backhand nya kaya nag-stuggled yung Thai.”
“Weakness talaga niya yung backhand since nung huli po kaming naglaban. kaso noon po, nakuha nya yung game ko. Pero dito ako naman yung nagkakumpiyansa. Hindi ko na siya binigyan ng chance,” said Patrombon,
But the spark Patrombon’s victory produced was snuffed out by Thai No. 1 Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul who crushed 19-year-old Joseph Brian Otico, 6-3, 6-4.
The results added more pressure in today’s 10 a.m. doubles match pitting Francis Casey Alcantara and Johnny Arcilla against twins Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana.
The critical reverse singles are also scheduled in the afternoon where Patrombon will be up against birthday boy Wishaya in the first reverse singles then Otico taking on Jirat.
Patrombon held his serve throughout the 67-minute match while breaking Jirat’s serve four times, banking on his forehand attacks and sharp serves.
