MANILA, Philippines - Cecil Mamiit suffered a five-set setback to Chinese-Taipei’s Tsung-Hua Yang in the crucial reverse singles as the Taiwanese wrapped up the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group I playoff tie in Kaoshiung, Taiwan yesterday.
Faced with a must-win situation, Mamiit failed to sustain his fourth set win that forced the decider, enabling the 19-year-old Taiwanese ace to escape with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 triumph that clinched the tie for the hosts, 3-1.
It was a sorry loss for the 34-year-old Mamiit, who according to Philippine Lawn Tennis Association vice president and RP Davis Cup team coordinator Randy Villanueva, gave his all in a bid to force a deciding match in the duel.
“It was an amazing slugfest and one of the best Davis Cup matches that I’ve seen. But we’re sorry that we lost,” Villanueva said.