Davis Cup and an insight into the tie between Sri Lanka and the Philippines

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Sri Lanka is set to take on a formidable challenge as they are scheduled to encounter the Philippines in the 1st round of the 2014 Davis Cup (Group 2, Asia/Oceania Zone).

This article looks into the Davis Cup as a whole as well as the track records of the two countries throughout the years. It also carries information about the upcoming encounter between the two countries and the likely players who will play a key role in their countries performances.

The Davis Cup is the most prestigious team event in the sport of tennis. It began in the year 1900 and it was initially a competition between the United States of America and Great Britain, then playing under the name of the British Isles. However this prestigious event has gone on to become the world’s largest annual team competition in sport, with a total number of 130 teams entering the 2013 edition of the tournament. The Davis Cup has featured the likes of many legends of the sport such as Rod laver, Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras and it continues to attract the likes of present day stars such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.v

 

Structure of the Davis Cup

The current Davis Cup Format was introduced in 1981. The 16 elite national teams participate in the top stage of the format which is known as the ‘World Group’. The remaining countries compete in three regional zones (Americas, Asia/Oceania and Europe/Africa) which are divided into a further four groups (Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4). Nations who are a part of the World Group, Group 1 and Group 2 compete using a knockout format where those who progress move into a higher group and those who lose get relegated to a lower group whereas those who are a part of Group 3 and Group 4 play a round robin tournament with the same concepts of promotion and relegation.

                                            Group(s)

 

1

World Group

16 countries

2

Group One Americas Zone

5 countries

Group One Europe/Africa Zone

11 countries

Group One Asia/Oceania Zone

8 countries

3

Group Two Americas Zone

8 countries

Group Two Europe/Africa Zone

16 countries

Group Two Asia/Oceania Zone

8 countries

4

Group Three Americas Zone

11 countries

Group Three Europe Zone

13 countries

Group Three Africa Zone

15 countries

Group Three Asia/Oceania Zone

8 countries

  5

     

Group Four Asia/Oceania Zone

11 countries

 

*Sri Lanka and the Philippines are two of the countries that are participating in the Group 2 (Asia/ Oceania Zone) stage of the 2014 Tournament.

Sri Lanka and its records in the Davis Cup

Sri Lanka made its first appearance in this reputed tournament in the year 1953 and has participated in 123 ties with a total of 58 wins and 65 losses. Sri Lanka has reached the Asia/Oceania Group 2 second round stage between the years 1989-1992 and also in the year 1995. Sri Lanka also holds the record for the most decisive victory in a Davis Cup tie played over five matches (rubbers) which was achieved after the Lankans defeated Syria for the loss of only 6 games.

The most successful Sri Lankan Davis Cup player up to date is Harshana Godamanna who has an outstanding record of 55 wins as opposed to only 17 losses. He and his partner Rajeev Rajapakse hold the record for the best doubles team with a total of 18 wins and 4 losses. In addition to this record Rajeev Rajapakse holds the record for being the player to represent Sri Lanka in the most number of Davis Cup ties. The experienced Rajapakse who continues to be a part of Sri Lankan tennis has been involved in a total number of 46 ties.

Sri Lanka has featured in the Group 2 (Asia/Oceania Zone) stage of the tournament for the past two years. In the year 2012 Sri Lanka were beaten by Thailand with a score line that read 3-2 however they were able to retain their place in the group consequent to defeating Hong Kong 3-2 in the relegation play off. The same pattern followed in the year 2013 as Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan 3-2 but were able to defeat Lebanon 3-2 in order to retain their position in Group 2.

Philippines and its records in the Davis Cup

Philippines made its first appearance in the Davis Cup in the year 1926 and has been a part of the competition for 60 years. The Countries best performance was in the year 1991 when they competed in a play off to reach the World Group. The Philippines have played a total number of 136 ties and have recorded a total of 72 wins.

Their most successful player up to date is Feliciano Ampon who has recorded a total number of 40 victories for his country and he also happens to be their most successful singles player with a total number of 36 wins. Raymundu Drero who played his tennis during the 1960’s and played 37 Davis Cup ties holds the record for the most amount of ties played by an individual from the Philippines.

Philippines has performed exceptionally well over the last two years of the Davis Cup Tournament. They have defeated the likes of Pakistan, Syria and Thailand and were able to reach the final round of the Group 2 stage in both 2012 and 2013.

Davis Cup 2014 – Sri Lanka vs. Philippines

Sri Lanka is scheduled to take on the Philippines in the first round of the Group 2 stage of the 2014 edition of the Davis Cup. The matches will be played from the 31st of January to the 2nd of February and the action will take place at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association. The two countries have met on seven previous occasions and the Philippines have a perfect record of seven convincing victories.

The Draw

Both Sri Lanka and the Philippines will participate with another 6 countries in the Group 2 stage of the tournament and the draw is as follows.

 

ROUND 1                            ROUND 2                                     ROUND 3

Philippines

Sri Lanka

Pakistan

Vietnam

Hong Kong

Thailand

Kuwait

Indonesia

*Countries that lose in the 1st round participate in a relegation play off and the losing teams get relegated to Group 3

*The winner of the 3rd round will be promoted to Group 1 for the 2015 Davis Cup.

Format

All ties will be played using a best of 5 match format comprising of 4 singles matches and 2 doubles matches. All the matches will be worked off using a best of 5 tie break set format. The first two singles matches will take place on the first day, the doubles match will be played on the second day and the two reverse singles matches will be played on the last day of play.

Sri Lanka

As per the trials that were played during the last few weeks a seven member squad has been selected of which four players and one reserve will be selected to represent the Sri Lankan contingent. Owing to their wonderful performances in the past and their prowess in the sport Harshana Godamanna and Dineshkanthan Thangarajah have received direct entry into the team. Rajeev Rajapakse is also a part of the squad and he is set to take part in a round of doubles trials to decide if he will play a part in the important doubles match. Amresh Jayawickreme, Sankha Atukorale, Sharmal Dissanayake and Dhanushka Abeywardena are set to take part in yet another round of trials in order to determine the final team.The non playing captain for the Sri Lankan team will be former Davis Cup player Rohan De Silva.

Philippines

The Papare and the relevant authorities are yet to receive accurate information regarding the players who will be representing the team from the Philippines. The likely names could be the experienced Johnny Arcilla and their key player Ruban Gonzales. In addition to the above mentioned players the team could also feature the likes of Treat Huey, Francis Casey Alcantara and Vicente Elberto Anasta. (The five players listed above represented the Philippines at the Davis Cup Tournament during the year 2013).

Although the Philippines have outclassed the Sri Lankans in all their previous meetings the matchup between these two Countries is guaranteed to produce a wonderful display of scintillating tennis. The Philippines will be looking to continue their dominance over Sri Lanka whereas Harshana Godamanna and the rest of the Lankan team will be looking forward to create an upset and register one of the biggest wins in the history of Sri Lankan tennis.

The Papare takes this opportunity to extend our warm wishes to the players of both teams ahead of their preparations for this crucial encounter.