Thailand dethrones RP in men's team tennis at SEA Games

Host Thailand dethroned defending champion Philippines, 2-1, Saturday in the men's team tennis competitions of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Tennis Center in Nakhon Rachasima, Thailand. The Ratiwatana brothers clinched the best-of-three semifinal tie by beating Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taino, 6-4, 6-2, in the deciding doubles, according to a report issued by the RP delegation. Earlier, Taino earlier W. Domaiklee, 6-1, 6-4, in the opening singles, but Mamiit wound up a 4-6, 4-6 loser to Danai Udomchoke. After a close first set in the doubles, Taino and Mamiit were broken thrice in the second that virtually sealed their doom. The Filipina netters also faltered in their semifinal outing as Indonesia shut them out, 3-0. R. Tedjakusuma dumped Diane Matias, 6-0, 6-3, before teammate S. Gumulya settled the issue by trouncing Czarina Mae Arevalo, 6-3, 6-3. The Indonesian pair of Wynne Prakusya and Widjaja completed the whitewash by whipping Matias and Denise Dy, 6-1, 6-0. Despite those losses, the Filipinos got the bronze medals in both divisions. The finals of the team events is scheduled for Sunday while the individual contests begin on Monday. - GMANews.TV