CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The CNMI 2024 Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup players and officials pose for a group shot at the Bahrain Tennis Federation courts. Back from left, Colin Sinclair, Tomas Abel, Robbie Schorr, Davis Cup team manager Karen Buettner, Colin Ramsey, and Davis Cup captain Jeff Race. Front row from left, Carol Lee, Hye Jin Elliott, Asia Raulerson, and Isabel Heras. Photo: Supplied
The CNMI Davis Cup tennis team has failed to earn promotion to the next level up, after losing to the Philippines.
The CNMI lost to the Philippines 2-1 in the crossover final between the top teams in pools B and C, in Group 5 of the Davis Cup at the Bahrain Tennis Federation courts in Isa Town.
Captain Jeff Race's team topped Pool C but faced a strong Philippine team which was only in group 5 due to Davis Cup inactivity in the past four years. They had previously been in group 2.
In the first singles match, CNMI no. 2 Robbie Schorr was outclassed by the Philippines' no. 1 player Eric Olivarez Jr 6-1 6-0.
Davis Cup veteran and CNMI no. 1 Colin Sinclair then tied the competition after a come-from-behind 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 victory over the Philippines' no. 2 Alberto Lim.
Sinclair used to play for Pacific Oceania before the CNMI was admitted to the Davis Cup last year.
The Philippines then clinched the tie when Robert Gonzales and Francis Alcantara upended Sinclair and Schorr in the doubles, 7-5, 6-1.
Race said despite the loss, the CNMI still had an impressive showing in its first-ever Davis Cup competition.
"The Philippines was the best team here, out of 15, and we are the second best," he said.
"In our first Davis Cup competition that's something to be excited and proud of.
"The Philippines no. 1 played amazing tennis and a son of Saipan beat him. The Philippines has 2,346 times more people than the CNMI and we almost beat them. I couldn't be prouder of this group of guys."
Asked what was the number one lesson learned after the tournament, Race said: "Don't start playing Davis Cup when the Philippines is in Group 5."
He also thanked Jerry and Lydia Tan for supporting the team.
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The loss to the Philippines on Saturday was the lone stain in the CNMI's otherwise fruitful weeklong campaign in Bahrain as the team went unscathed in pool play. It swept Bhutan and Maldives in its first two ties before exacting the same punishment against Laos.
Against Laos on Friday, Schorr opened up with a dominating 6-1, 6-0 win over Songbandith Somphone before Sinclair gave the CNMI the tie with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Simmalavong Sataporn.
In the doubles, Colin Ramsey and Tomas Abel took three sets to conquer Khamphoumany Ananda and Somphone, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Schorr summed up his first Davis Cup stint as simply unforgettable.
"The Philippines was a really tough team and they played very well. We fought hard but came up short in the end unfortunately," he said.
"My Davis Cup experience was great. I enjoyed playing against good players from all over the Middle East and Asia, getting to know some new people from different countries, and enjoying my stay in Bahrain. The NMI team is something truly special that I am lucky to be a part of."
He then took the opportunity to thank his support system for advancing his tennis career.
Ramsey said he had an unforgettable experience playing at the Davis Cup.
"We set the expectations high for NMI tennis even though we came up short against the Philippines," he said.
"It's a country with more than 100 million people against a small island of 45,000 and we came very close to beating them. I am very proud of the way we showed up this year and I'm excited to show up even stronger next year."
Abel said they played some "heroic matches" against the Philippines "in true David vs. Goliath fashion".
"Colin S. and Robbie brought us to the brink of bringing them down. They gave it their all and it was by far the best match of the tournament. Next year, we are moving up for sure."
He also said it was a dream come true to play in the Davis Cup.
"Let's call it a stretch that at this point in my life I could still make the team for such a momentous championship, but the stars aligned and I spent the week with the most wonderful people and the best tennis players in CNMI history."
CNMI women's turn
The CNMI women's national team, meanwhile, will make its 2024 Billie Jean King Cup debut this week, also at the Bahrain Tennis Federation tennis courts in Isa Town, Bahrain.
Making up the team are Carol Lee, Isabel Heras, Asia Raulerson, and Hye Jin Elliot. Lydia Tan is the CNMI's captain in the Billie Jean King Cup.
Tan said there are no expectations really, as it's their first time in the tournament.
"It will be a good team and they all get along well.
"This competition is much higher level. Will just do our best. The team had practice [on Friday] and it seems they adjusted to the courts condition well."
She added that Georgia Tech standout Lee will be the CNMI's no. 1 player and Heras, who also played tennis collegiately, will be the no. 2 player.
Lee thanked the Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association for picking her to be part of the NMI team in the Billie Jean King Cup.
"It's an honor to be playing for the NMI team for the first time and I am excited to compete with my teammates.
"Our goal is to get promoted to the next group but I expect us to just perform, compete, and give our best on court."
Raulerson, for her part, said she's looking forward for the BJK Cup and her expectations is "to win and play hard and play smart all the way".