Thailand had a fine boost for the SEA Games when they defeated hosts of this year's edition the Philippines 3-1 in a Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group 2 battle in Muang Thong Thani yesterday.
The home team had taken a massive 2-0 lead over the Philippines after winning the first two singles rubbers on Friday.
Twins Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana defeated Filipino duo Francis Alcantara and Hurance Mendoza in straight sets in the doubles encounter to seal the win for the Thais.
Young Kasidit Samrej then lost to Filipino teenager John Degaza in the meaningless first reverse singles on a super tie-breaker, going down 6-4, 3-6, 6-7.
The last singles match-up called off by mutual consent.
The tie was only for the winners to gain points in the International Tennis Federation's new format for the Davis Cup.
Thailand captain Danai Udomchoke said: "The players did their best in this tournament. Overall, I think this is the best squad we have had in a while.
"We had Palaphoom [Kovapitukted] play the first singles rubber and he picked up a point for the team to prove himself in great fashion.
"We expected a lot from Wishaya [Trongcharoenchaikul] and also from Sonchat and Sanchai in the doubles. Once again they didn't disappoint us.
"Kasidit gained some experience. This is an important step for both the player and the Thai national team.
"I think this year there will not be any more Davis Cup matches for our team. The players must start focusing on the SEA Games in the Philippines in November-December this year.
"This win over the Philippines here today can prove to be a good start and I hope that all the players will do their best at the SEA Games."
Sonchat and Sanchai were engaged in a close encounter with Alcantara and Mendoza and carried the score to 4-4 in the opening set at the National Tennis Development Centre yesterday morning.
The Thai twins, who executed some brilliant groundstrokes during the clash, were finally able to break their rivals' serve in the ninth game and eventually succeeded in taking the set 6-4.
The second set also played out in the similar manner, only this time Sonchat and Sanchai took a little longer to wrap up the things, breaking their opponents in the 11th game and winning the set 7-5.
Sonchat and Sanchai said after the doubles rubber: "It was not an easy match at the all.
"The scores always looked very close and we had to keep pressuring the two Philippines players.
"We wanted to win the third point and the tie for Thailand.
"It was a tough-but-good victory for us."