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PHILIPPINES LOSES HEARTBREAKER IN DAVIS CUP TIE VS NEW ZEALAND By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Mon, 16 Sep 2013 The Philippines lost a 3-2 heartbreaker in its Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone II clash at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapu Lapu City that was marred by the aggressive behavior of some members of the New Zealand team that irked Philta Davis Cup administrator and former player Randy Villanueva. Doubles specialist Treat Huey who reached the US Open quarter finals with Britain?s Dominic Inglot was a last minute replacement in the final reverse singles after Ruben Gonzales gutted out a marathon five-set victory over New Zealand?s top player Jose Statham 7-6/4-6/1-6/7-5/8-6. After winning the first two sets against New Zealand?s No. 2 Michael Venus 7-5/6-4, it looked like the Philippines was on its way to earn promotion to Group I but it was not to be as Huey faded badly while Venus picked up his game and showed flashes of the deadly form that enabled him to beat Gonzales in another five-setter in the opening singles match 4-6/6-3/4-6/7-6/6-0. The Kiwis won both singles on opening day with Jose Statham winning in straight sets over Johnny Arcilla 6-4/6-2/6-4 but Huey and young Francise Casey ?Nino? Alcantara who was outstanding, outplayed Marcus Daniell and Artem Sitak in straight sets 6-4/6-3/6-4 before Gonzales heroics put the burden on doubles superstar Huey to seal the deal and although it seemed the ploy worked at the beginning but as Radio Sport in New Zealand reported ? Venus showed plenty of determination with vocal support from the sidelines from team captain Alistair Hunt as well as team mates Statham, Artem Sitak, Marcus Daniell and physio Andy Schmit to win the third set 6-3. He then dominated the fourth set 6-1 before gaining an early break to eventually take the final set 6-3 and gain New Zealand promotion to Asia/Oceania Group I next year while the Philippines will remain in Group II. The vocal support reportedly started the trouble with team captain Alistair Hunt admitted "The boys were standing up, cheering then people were saying they couldn't see and all sorts, and it just got a bit silly there." Villanueva didn?t wish to aggravate the situation and later on shook hands with Hunt in a true spirit of sportsmanship. He said he would rather not make a fuss about it although independent tennis fans told us the New Zealanders engaged Villanueva in a staredown reminiscent of boxing before Villanueva pushed Hunt away and cooler heads intervened. Villanueva told the Manila Standard it was clear after Huey?s loss that the Philippines needs another good singles player to back up Gonzales and the Philta is looking at Marci Domingo Sieber, the 25 year old Fil-German left hander as a prospect. Sieber who won the "PCA Open" in 2010 was in his youth a three-time German singles champion and two-time German double champion. In 2011 Marc Sieber won the $ 10,000 Futures tournaments in Porec , Trierand as well as two of the three biggest tournaments in Lower Bavaria while his highest ATP world ranking was 343 in 2009. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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