Shevchenko loses to Samrej, Thailand levels Davis Cup tie

Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko lost 6-1, 2-6, 3-6 to Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej in the second match of the World Group II Davis Cup tie in Astana. Thailand’s national team leveled the tie at 2-2.

The second day of the tie in Astana started with Beibit Zhukayev and Denis Yevseyev losing 4-6, 6-3, 5-7 to Thailand’s Pruchya Isaro and Maximus Jones.

Yesterday, the Kazakhstani players won both singles matches. Shevchenko defeated Jones 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, while Timofey Skatov edged Samrej 6-4, 7-6(7-4).

To win the tie, Kazakhstan needed to win one of the two remaining singles matches. Shevchenko lost the first one.

Shevchenko sealed the first set in just half an hour. Breaking Samrej’s serve twice, the Kazakh won the set 6-1. The Thai player then took the initiative and played almost flawlessly to win the second set 6-2.

No matter how hard Shevchenko tried to get back to the tennis that had brought him success in the first set, Samrej continued to play his own game. Hitting the lines and corners, the Thai player left the Kazakh no chance of a comeback, winning 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 in 1 hour and 51 minutes.

Thailand came back from 0-2 to level the tie. Skatov and Jones will take to the court in the decisive match, with their clash set to determine the winner.