Post by sirius on Sept 25, 2004 16:26:30 GMT 3
from dc.com
Russia Completes Victory Over Thailand
Heavy favourites Russia proved their top billing, easily beating Thailand in their Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Play- off tie to retain their place among the 16-team World Group for next year.
Marat Safin and Mikhail Youzhny overpowered Thai twin brothers Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana 62 61 64 in Saturday's doubles to give the 2002 Davis Cup champions an unassailable 3-0 lead in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Moscow's Luzhniki Sports Palace.
The Russians broke their opponents twice in the first two sets, then secured another break in the seventh game of the final set to close out the match in 85 minutes.
In the sixth game of the first set Sanchai double-faulted two times in a row before a lucky net cord and wild smash gave the home team their first break. Two games later Safin and Youzhny broke Sonchat to seal the opening set.
They repeated the task in the second, this time breaking Sonchat in the fourth game and his brother in the sixth to go two sets up, and it was just a matter of time before they would run out an easy victory.
Afterwards, Safin said the Thais lacked the necessary experience. "I don't think they have enough experience playing big matches and it was evident today," said the 2000 US Open champion. "They looked nervous from the start and made too many errors."
Sonchat Ratiwatana agreed. "Yes that's true, we don't have enough experience on this level," he said. "It was our first match in the World Group Play-off, against a top ten team, and of course we were both nervous. Hopefully, we'll do better next time."
Chanachai Srichaphan, Thailand captain and the father of Thai No. 1 Paradorn Srichaphan, added: "It was a good lesson for them and I hope they will learn when we return to Zone I." Thailand, who failed in their bid to reach the elite of men's tennis for a third time, will now have to go back to Asia/Oceania Zone Group I.
On Friday, Igor Andreev beat Srichaphan 75 62 64 and former world No. 1 Safin overpowered Danai Udomchoke 64 61 62 in the two singles matches to give the home team a commanding 2-0 lead after the opening day.
Russia captain Shamil Tarpischev said he would now rest Safin and use Nikolay Davydenko for one of Sunday's two dead singles rubbers to test all his players. "We have a good team capable of contesting the Davis Cup trophy next year," summed up Tarpischev, who guided Russia to their first-ever Davis Cup title in 2002. "But a lot will be dependent on the draw. If we get a favourable draw then we have a good chance of winning."
Russia Completes Victory Over Thailand
Heavy favourites Russia proved their top billing, easily beating Thailand in their Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Play- off tie to retain their place among the 16-team World Group for next year.
Marat Safin and Mikhail Youzhny overpowered Thai twin brothers Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana 62 61 64 in Saturday's doubles to give the 2002 Davis Cup champions an unassailable 3-0 lead in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Moscow's Luzhniki Sports Palace.
The Russians broke their opponents twice in the first two sets, then secured another break in the seventh game of the final set to close out the match in 85 minutes.
In the sixth game of the first set Sanchai double-faulted two times in a row before a lucky net cord and wild smash gave the home team their first break. Two games later Safin and Youzhny broke Sonchat to seal the opening set.
They repeated the task in the second, this time breaking Sonchat in the fourth game and his brother in the sixth to go two sets up, and it was just a matter of time before they would run out an easy victory.
Afterwards, Safin said the Thais lacked the necessary experience. "I don't think they have enough experience playing big matches and it was evident today," said the 2000 US Open champion. "They looked nervous from the start and made too many errors."
Sonchat Ratiwatana agreed. "Yes that's true, we don't have enough experience on this level," he said. "It was our first match in the World Group Play-off, against a top ten team, and of course we were both nervous. Hopefully, we'll do better next time."
Chanachai Srichaphan, Thailand captain and the father of Thai No. 1 Paradorn Srichaphan, added: "It was a good lesson for them and I hope they will learn when we return to Zone I." Thailand, who failed in their bid to reach the elite of men's tennis for a third time, will now have to go back to Asia/Oceania Zone Group I.
On Friday, Igor Andreev beat Srichaphan 75 62 64 and former world No. 1 Safin overpowered Danai Udomchoke 64 61 62 in the two singles matches to give the home team a commanding 2-0 lead after the opening day.
Russia captain Shamil Tarpischev said he would now rest Safin and use Nikolay Davydenko for one of Sunday's two dead singles rubbers to test all his players. "We have a good team capable of contesting the Davis Cup trophy next year," summed up Tarpischev, who guided Russia to their first-ever Davis Cup title in 2002. "But a lot will be dependent on the draw. If we get a favourable draw then we have a good chance of winning."
