Visitors Thailand have their backs against the wall in the Davis Cup World Group Play-offs against Germany after they lost the doubles rubber yesterday to trail the tie 2-1 in Duesseldorf.

Twins Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana failed to live up to expectations and were eclipsed by German doubles specialists Alexander Waske, No 25 in the ATP doubles, and Philipp Kohlschreiber in three straight sets 6-1 6-2 6-0 in only one hour and 13 minutes.

The defeat means the visitors cannot afford to lose any of today's reverse singles matches, where Paradorn Srichaphan is pitted against world No 14 Tommy Haas and Danai Udomchoke against Florian Mayer.

In fact, Thailand never seemed to be in a position to challenge the powerful Germans until Danai chalked up the biggest upset victory of his career with a five-set 6-3 2-6 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 6-3 win over Haas on Friday.

Thailand could have widened the gap to 2-0 had Paradorn maintained his lead over No 54 Mayer. He was up two sets to one but just could not overcome his jinx on clay, eventually going down 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 2-6 3-6 in the match. Thailand and German were tied 1-1 at the end of Friday.

That disappointing loss plunged Paradorn's 2006 record on clay to 0-8. The two sets he took in the match against Mayer were the only ones he has managed to win this year on his weakest surface.

Paradorn is scheduled to kick off today's action against Haas at 4.30pm Bangkok time. He trails the German ace 1-0 in their career record, Haas winning their lone meeting in the second round of the 2004 Tennis Masters Series in Indian Wells 6-1 6-2.

If Paradorn can pull off a miracle by beating Haas, Danai will have to win the last match against Mayer to propel Thailand to a win.

The wining team will reserve a spot in the World Group next year, with the losers relegated to the qualifying-zone competition. Thailand has never yet advanced to the elite World group.

US keep hopes live

n Bob and Mike Bryan beat Dmitry Tursunov and Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 6-4 6-2 in yesterday's Davis Cup semi-final to keep alive the United States' hopes of beating Russia.

The win means the top-ranked Bryan brothers have lost just once in 10 Davis Cup matches - in last year's first round against eventual champions Croatia - and leaves the US trailing 2-1 ahead of today's reverse singles.

Russia had put the US on the verge of elimination on Friday, when Youzhny and Marat Safin won their opening singles matches on a sluggish clay court at Olympic Stadium, losing only one set between them.

Chasing the first US Davis Cup since 1995, the Bryan Brothers broke for a 5-3 lead in the first set, with Youzhny surviving two break points before smashing a lob into the net on the third. Bob Bryan served the next game at love to give the Americans the lead. With Youzhny serving at 3-3 in the second set, the Wimbledon and Australian Open champions rallied from 30-0 down to break. Serving for the set three games later, Bob Bryan fired two aces to put the Americans up 2-0.

They quickly took the lead in the third set, capitalising on three unforced errors from Tursunov to break the Russians in the opening game. Four straight errors from Tursunov handed the Americans another break in the seventh game and Mike Bryan closed out the match with an ace.

On Friday, Safin justified his selection over higher-ranked teammate Nikolay Davydenko by beating Roddick 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (5). Youzhny then defeated James Blake 7-5, 1-6, 6-1, 7-5.

Russia, who have not lost at home in 10 years, needs to win one of today's reverse singles to secure their first berth in the Davis Cup final since their only title in 2002.

Youzhny is scheduled to face Roddick in the today's first match, with Safin playing Blake in the second, but the choices are subject to change.

The winner will face either Australia or Argentina in the final in December.

The Nation

DUESSELDORF, GERMANY