Gonzales loses in first singles

MANILA, Philippines — Fil-American Ruben Gonzales threw everything he had but still dropped a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 decision to Jose Statham Friday as New Zealand took a 1-0 lead over the Philippine Davis Cup team in their Asia Oceania Zone Group I playoff tie in Hawera, New Zealand.

The 25-year-old Gonzales, ranked No. 830 in the ATP singles ranking, struggled in the face of his rival’s powerful serves and wicked shots.

The Kiwi is rated No. 556 in the world and that showed with his aggressive plays that oftentimes caught the Fil-Am flat-footed.

Gonzales was a last-minute replacement for Jeson Patrombon, who was earlier nominated to play in the first singles match. Teams can change their line-up one hour prior to the match.

It was the second straight defeat for Gonzales in the singles of Davis Cup tie, having lost to Taiwanese Lee Hsin-Han, 6-3, 6-0, in a non-bearing match a year ago.

Statham, for its part, clinched its 17th singles victory since playing for his team in 2005. Gonzales was the third Filipino he beat after prevailing over Johnny Arcilla in 2007 and Elbert Anasta in 2009.

Cecil Mamiit, the Filipinos’ team captain, is playing Michael Venus at presstime with the Fil-Am netter hoping to equalize the count.

Mamiit, one of Maria Sharapova’s current hitting partners, is 11 years older than Venus and boasts of a vast Davis Cup experience.

Kristel Satumbaga, Manila Bulletin