Thailand take an unassailable 2-0 lead over Philippines

Hyderabad, Nov 24 (UNI) Thailand took an unassailable 2-0 lead over Philippines in Group-B, while Japan levelled 1-1 against China in Group-A in the second round of the First edition of Asian Hopman Cup Tennis Championship being played at SAAP Tennis Complex here today.

Weerapat Doakmaiklee's victory in the men's singles gave Thailand 2-0 lead. In a match that lasted 2 hours 13 minutes, Doakmaiklee sweated to defeat Patrick Tierro (787) in three sets 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 7-5. Doakmaiklee who lost his first game, played sensibly to win the second and third sets.

Yuihi Sugita, a better ranked player, defeated Chinese rival Mao-Xin Gong 6-1, 6-3 in little over one hour to level the set score 1-1. Having lost the first set in 19 minutes, Gong put up better performance to win the second set.

Meanwhile, considering the cold winter nights, the organisers pre-poned the matches by 90 minutes from tomorrow.

Saturday's fixtures Centre Court : India Vs Japan at 1500 hrs Side Court : Chinese Taipei Vs Thailand at 1500 hrs UNI XR GM SAM BST2238