Young Lim kicks off Davis Cup tie

MANILA, Philippines - Young Alberto Lim Jr. marks his Davis Cup debut with a big match against Indonesia’s top player David Agung Susanto as the Asia/Oceania Group 2 tie unwraps today at the PCA courts in Paco, Manila.

The 17-year-old Lim said he is a little bit edgy but ready to step up and lead the Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippines campaign in the three-day event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Babolat and Cebuana Lhuillier.

“I’m very nervous but when you think about it I have nothing to lose because he’s (Susanto) older and even has a world ranking,” said Lim.

The Philippines non-playing team captain Karl Santamaria stood by his “calculated risk” to field an untested yet very promising Lim in the first singles match.

“Davis Cup is about match-ups and we saw how AJ (Lim) is suited for team events because of his swag,” said Santamaria during yesterday’s draw. “I think Indonesia was surprised by that move.”

Lim and Susanto tangle at 3 p.m. before Ruben Gonzales, nominated as the host’s No. 1 player, will play Aditya Hari Sasongko in the second singles.

Treat Huey, the world No. 26 in doubles, and Francis Casey Alcantara, the 2009 Australian Open juniors doubles champion, will face Anthony Susanto and Sunu-Wahyu Trijati in tomorrow’s doubles at 2 p.m.

Gonzales will then face Susanto, while Lim will challenge Sasongko in Sunday’s reverse singles which start at 1 p.m.

Santamaria said he sees “all matches to go either way” as he downplayed the country’s chances despite the absence of Thai top-ranked player Christopher Rungkat.

Indonesian team captain Andrian Raturandang said Rungkat is in the US working on improving his ITF rankings.

That left Indonesia to rely on 25-year-old Susanto who is ranked 739 in singles and 658 in doubles. His brother Anthony, 19, is also playing his first Davis Cup.

The draw was presided over by International Tennis Federation referee David Smith who was assisted by Indonesian Tennis Association chair of tournaments and events Susan Soebakti.

Also present in the draw ceremony were Philippine Tennis Association president Salvador Andrada and sec-gen Romeo Magat.

Smith also announced that Huey will be given an award on Sunday by the ITF for his “commitment to the Davis Cup.”

The 31-year-old Huey has been the pillar of Phl Davis Cup team for several years, having started for the country in 2009. He has tallied the most doubles win for the Philippines with a 14-5 record.

Indonesia holds a 6-4 edge over the Philippines in their head-to-head duel, winning the last two ties.