CNMI beats Turkmenistan to retain Davis Cup Group IV status

The Northern Mariana Islands men's tennis team overcame food poisoning, oppressive heat, and high humidity to retain its place in Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group IV after defeating Turkmenistan, 2-1, in its final tie in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Team manager Lydia Tan said the CNMI contingent battled difficult conditions throughout the competition, which was played on the outdoor clay courts of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association. 

“The team had a tough condition with heat and high humidity plus food poison too,” Tan told Marianas Press.

Tan said she and Colin Sinclair were the first members of the delegation to suffer food poisoning after arriving in Sri Lanka. Robbie Schorr later became ill and vomited on court.

The illness apparently contributed to the CNMI's opening 2-1 loss to Qatar last July 23, when Schorr and Sinclair retired from the deciding doubles match after dropping the opening set, 4-6.

Despite the illnesses and difficult playing conditions, the Commonwealth ultimately accomplished its primary objective of remaining in Group IV for another year.

The CNMI squad was composed of Sinclair, Schorr, Colin Ramsey, and Tomas Abel.

Seven countries participated in the Group IV competition, with the CNMI drawn into a three-team pool with host Sri Lanka and Qatar.

“We are lucky to draw to Group A which only three countries in the pool. There are seven countries participating,” Tan said.

Against Qatar on July 23, Schorr dropped the opening singles match to Mubarak Alharrasi, 0-6, 0-6.

Sinclair then pulled the CNMI even by outlasting Mossa Alharrasi in three sets, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), forcing a deciding doubles match.

Schorr and Sinclair faced Mubarak Alharrasi and Mossa Alharrasi in the decider, but the CNMI tandem retired after losing the opening set, 4-6, giving Qatar the 2-1 victory.

The CNMI returned to the courts last July 24 against host Sri Lanka and again found itself in a tie that came down to doubles.

Ramsey fell to Apna Perera, 2-6, 3-6, in the opening singles match before Sinclair once again delivered for the Commonwealth.

Sinclair defeated Ganuka Fernando, 6-1, 6-2, to level the tie at 1-1.

In the deciding doubles, Sri Lanka's Saha Kapilasena and Thehan Wijemanne blanked Ramsey and Abel, 6-0, 6-0, handing the CNMI its second consecutive 2-1 defeat.

That left the CNMI facing Turkmenistan last July 25 with its Group IV status at stake.

The Commonwealth again fell behind early when Ramsey lost the opening singles match to Resul Atayev, 2-6, 0-6.

Sinclair, however, continued his unbeaten run in singles by dominating Aly Geldyev, 6-1, 6-1, to level the tie at 1-1 and send the CNMI into its third deciding doubles match in as many days.

This time, the Commonwealth finished the job.

Sinclair and Schorr put out all the stops against Selim Chagylov and Geldyev, prevailing in a tight opening set, 7-5.

The second set was just as close, but the CNMI tandem prevailed in the tiebreak to win, 7-6 (7-5), completing the 2-1 victory and preserving the Commonwealth's place in Asia/Oceania Group IV for 2027.

Sinclair was instrumental in keeping the CNMI in Group IV. He went undefeated in singles over the three ties, beating Qatar's Mossa Alharrasi, Sri Lanka's Fernando and Turkmenistan's Geldyev before teaming with Schorr for the decisive doubles victory against Turkmenistan.

For Tan, retaining Group IV status was a satisfying result considering the illnesses and difficult weather conditions the team endured in Colombo. 

“Overall, we are good and happy to stay in Group IV and not go down to Group V wt going through the food poison and heat/humidity as mention earlier,” Tan said.

The CNMI Davis Cup team players said, overall, they’re happy to have retained their spot on Group IV.

“The team had a stomach bug while we were over there. We tried our best in pool play but that held us back a bit. Happy to have won the relegation match so we can stay in Group IV.Could’ve just been our systems not used to the spice,” said Sinclair.

Schorr said he enjoyed the Davis Cup and that it was once again an honor to represent the CNMI.

“Seeing the team is always the best part of every trip, and the support we all have for each other is amazing. While we didn’t get the results we were hoping for, we ended the week with a win against Turkmenistan, and we get to stay in Group IV for next year,” he said.

Ramsey said all things considered the result was perhaps the best possible outcome for Team CNMI.

“We did not promote, but did not demote (relegate). Our Top 2players got food poisoning within the first few days and were unable to perform to the best of their abilities. On top of that, the two teams in our pool were the two that ended up promoting, showing that we had a very tough pool under very rough circumstances. It was my first time competing on clay courts. It was a difficult adjustment and definitely a humbling experience, but it was a challenge that I was grateful for being given,” he said.

Abel seconded what Sinclair, Schorr, and Ramsey said, adding that they successfully defended their place in Group IV, despite extreme playing conditions and health problems that beset most of the guys.

“It was a tough challenge for all, but in the end, we came out victorious. Much must be said about Colin Sinclair's grit and level of play. Despite multiple challenges he dug very deep and came up with crucial wins. Robbie, Colin R, and Lydia all did an amazing job on and off the court and I feel that the team is even better now than before, ready for new challenges,” he said.