Alexander Shevchenko lost to Kasidit Samrej 6:1, 2:6, 3:6 on the second day of the home Davis Cup tie. The score in the confrontation with Thailand has levelled at 2:2. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Doubles defeat
Today's play in Astana began with the tandem of Beibit Zhukayev and Denis Yevseyev losing 4:6, 6:3, 5:7 to Thailand's Pruchya Isaro and Maximus Jones.
Wins on the opening day
The day before, the Kazakhstani players won both singles matches. Shevchenko defeated Maximus Jones 6:4, 1:6, 7:5. Timofey Skatov overcame Samrej 6:4, 7:6 (7:4).
The moment the tie hung in the balance
At 2:1, Kazakhstan needed to win one of the two remaining singles matches to clinch the tie. Shevchenko lost the first of them.
First set: Shevchenko's dominance
Shevchenko completed the first set of his match against Samrej in just half an hour. Breaking his opponent's serve twice, the Kazakhstani player won the set 6:1.
Second set: the turning point
But then the Thai player, despite a huge difference in ranking, seized the initiative, began playing almost error-free and won the second set 6:2.
Third set: no chance of a comeback
No matter how hard Alexander tried to rediscover the tennis that brought him success in the first set, Samrej kept pushing his line. Hitting the lines and corners, running his opponent all over the court, the Thai player left our athlete no chance of a comeback. 1:6, 6:2, 6:3 in 1 hour 51 minutes.
The decisive match ahead
Thailand, trailing 0:2, levelled the score. In the decisive match, Skatov and Jones will take to the court. Their encounter will determine the winner of the tie.