Only one singles rubber was possible at the Automobile Touring and Sport Club of Lebanon in rain-hit Beirut on Friday (Mar 6) when Benjamin Hassan of the host country outclassed Thailand No.2 Jirat Navasirisomboon 6-1, 6-2.
This left Thailand’s top-ranked player Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul with a onerous task of taking part in two singles rubbers on Saturday.
The day got underway with Wishaya prevailing over Hasan Ibrahim of Lebanon 7-6 (10/8), 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) to tie the match 1-1 for Thailand.
Kerdlarphee brothers, Kittirat and Phongsapak, were then involved in a gruelling doubles battle with Hassan and Giovani Samaha.
Kittirat and Phongsapak put up a strong fight but eventually ran out of steam to concede the rubber 6-3, 6-7 (7/9), 6-0 to allow the Lebanese side grab a 2-1 upper hand.
In reverse singles, Wishaya, ranked No.623 in the world, failed to match the wits of world No.348 Hassan as the topped-ranked players from the two countries faced off in what proved to be last rubber of the play-off.
Benjamin was a cut above his opponent as he recorded a comfortable 6-2, 6-0 victory over Wishaya to give Lebanon an unassailable 3-1 lead.
The second reverse singles was called off.
Lebanon earned a place in the in World Group I ties in September. Thailand stay put in World Group 2.