In the Davis Cup match continuing in Astana, the tandem of Beibit Zhukayev and Denis Evseev lost the doubles match to Thailand's Pruchya Isaro and Maximus Jones with a score of 4:6, 6:3, 5:7. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
After three games, Kazakhstan leads 2:1.
Previous matches
The day before, the Kazakhs won both singles matches. Alexander Shevchenko defeated the aforementioned Jones with incredible difficulty – 6:4, 1:6, 7:5. Timofey Skatov, also in a tough battle, got the better of Kasidit Samrej – 6:4, 7:6 (7:4).
Change in the Thai lineup
In the initial doubles entry, the Thais had Tanapent Chanta alongside doubles specialist Isaro. However, Thailand's captain Tiansit Srichaphan replaced him with Jones, who had performed well in the match against Shevchenko. And he was not mistaken. Making two breaks against one for their opponents, Pruchya and Maximus took the first set – 6:4.
Course of the doubles match
Initially, the Zhukayev/Evseev pair looked like the most problematic link in the current Kazakhstan squad. Decent singles players, neither of them is a doubles specialist. Zhukayev had been playing in a duo with Alexander Bublik for some time. Without much success, however, as the February match against Monaco showed.
It seemed that in the absence of Alexander the First, Zhukayev and Evseev would have few chances. However, in the second set, the Kazakhs, having settled on the court, made it clear that they are not gods who bake pots. And that pronounced singles players can do something in doubles too – 6:3.
And yet, in the decisive set, Isaro and Jones, actively using Pruchya's specific net-play skills, wore down the hosts. 6:4, 3:6, 7:5 in 1 hour 57 minutes.
Continuation of the match
Thus, the Kazakhs' lead in the score was reduced – 2:1. In the fourth game, Shevchenko and Samrej will take the court. If the Kazakh wins, the match will end in our victory. If the Thai wins, the fate of the confrontation will be decided by the duel between Skatov and Jones.