Kazakhstan beats Thailand in Davis Cup tie, advances to World Group I Play-offs

Kazakhstani tennis player Timofey Skatov defeated Thailand’s Maximus Jones 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the decisive match of the Davis Cup tie in Astana.

The hosts had a straightforward first day, winning both singles matches. Alexander Shevchenko defeated Jones 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, while Skatov edged Kasidit Samrej 6-4, 7-6(7-4).

In turn, the second day started with the doubles loss from Beibit Zhukayev and Denis Yevseyev against Pruchya Isaro and Jones 4-6, 6-3, 5-7. Shevchenko then fell to Samrej 6-1, 2-6, 3-6.

The tie was level, and the winner was to be determined in the fifth match. After some rest, Jones took on Skatov and was broken in the first game. Skatov didn’t give him a chance to break back, winning the set 6-4.

In the second set, the players consistently held serve. The match looked set to go to a tiebreak, but leading 30-0 in the 10th game, Skatov committed several errors and lost the set on the first set point, 4-6.

So the closely contested Kazakhstan-Thailand tie was to be decided in the third set of the fifth and final match. After breaking Jones in a hard-foughtfifth game, Skatov battled just as hard to consolidate it, making it 4-2. He then didn’t give his opponent a chance to get back into the match and sealed the win 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Winning 3-2, Kazakhstan’s national team ended a three-match losing streak. It lost 3-2 to Argentina in February 2024, 3-1 to South Korea in September 2025 and 3-1 to Monaco in February, led by Alexander Bublik.

As a result, Kazakhstan’s national team dropped to World Group II. In its next tie, the team will compete in the World Group I Play-offs.