FARRUKH Dustov retired with cramps in the
third set, giving Fil-Am Cecil Mamiit a victory that helped
the Philippines even the score with Uzbekistan at 1-1 after
yesterday’s opening singles of the Asia Oceania Davis Cup
Group I relegation tie at the oven-hot Philippine Columbian
Association shell-clay courts.
The match was tied at one set apiece 5-7,
6-3 with the third set dead even at 5-5 when the 6-foot-1
Dustov fell on court and conceded the match with cramps on
both legs.
The victory made up for RP team No. 3
Patrick John Tierro’s 4-6, 2-6, 3-6 loss to Uzbek No. 1 Denis
Istomin.
Mamiit and fellow Fil-Am Eric Taino clash
with Istomin and if possible, Dustov, today in the doubles
match.
"It was a battle out there," Mamiit said.
"We were trying to outlast each other and it boils down to a
battle of will and guts."
"I respected the match with him (Dustov)
and we’re looking forward to our doubles matches (tomorrow),"
he added.
Mamiit failed to break Dustov’s powerful
serve in the opening set but finally did in the second at
3-all and sustained the momentum to secure the set.
The 21-year-old Dustov picked up his pace
in the third set and quickly erected a 4-1 lead but suddenly
slowed down with cramps, eventually juddering to a halt at
5-5.
"We already know that these guys
(Uzbekistan team) are going to come out firing. A coach would
be happy for a 2-0 lead, but the 1-1? We’ll take it," said RP
non-playing captain Manny Tecson.
"PJ’s (Tierro) loss gave me a lot of information on Istomin.
The key in this match is to get the momentum," he added.
