Vietnam will play Hong Kong in a three-day event starting February 3 in HCM City. (Photo: Vietnam Tennis Federation)Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam expect to beatHong Kong for the third time in a row in the first round match of Davis Cup’sGroup II, Asia Oceania zone, on February 3.
In the 2013 and 2015 tournaments, Vietnam hadbeaten Hong Kong, which grabbed their only win in 2005. “We come prepared,”said captain Truong Quoc Bao. The faceoff will be held at HCM City’s Phu ThoTennis Club.
In the three-day meet, Vietnam, apart fromhaving the advantage of playing on home ground, have on their side world No 635Ly Hoang Nam, the highest seed among all participants. Nam will face Li Hei YinAndrew, who ranks 1,522 in the world, in the second single’s match.
The first match will see world No 1,443 NguyenHoang Thien playing against No 911 Wong Kit Hong.
Nam’s second match will be against Wong inRubber 4, while Thien will meet Li in Rubber 5.
Young talent Nguyen Dac Tien will pair withformer champion Pham Minh Tuan to play in the doubles’ match against KaranRastogi and Wong Chun Wun. Indian-born Rastogi is an experienced player who hascompeted with Rafael Nadal in the past.
However, captain Bao may use other options.
Nam and Thien are currently Vietnam’s bestpair after they won a Men’s Futures title last year.
“I have different options and I will makeswitches based on what happens in the matches. But I would not letthem (Hong Kong) know my secret,” Bao said.
Speaking at a press briefing on February 1, HoWai Tak David, head of Hong Kong team, said Vietnam were strong, but hisplayers were powerful. His team has lost to Vietnam twice in the past, but thistime the two sides are equal in strength, so the team that performs better willwin, David said.
Captain Michael Thomas Walker said it would be adifferent result for Hong Kong compared to the past two years as they haveprepared well for the Davis Cup. The players’ performances were tested at adomestic event in December, he said, adding that he hoped the weather would befine so that nothing would affect his team’s abilities.
The winner will play the winner in the clashbetween Pakistan and Iran from April 7 to 9.-VNA
In the 2013 and 2015 tournaments, Vietnam hadbeaten Hong Kong, which grabbed their only win in 2005. “We come prepared,”said captain Truong Quoc Bao. The faceoff will be held at HCM City’s Phu ThoTennis Club.
In the three-day meet, Vietnam, apart fromhaving the advantage of playing on home ground, have on their side world No 635Ly Hoang Nam, the highest seed among all participants. Nam will face Li Hei YinAndrew, who ranks 1,522 in the world, in the second single’s match.
The first match will see world No 1,443 NguyenHoang Thien playing against No 911 Wong Kit Hong.
Nam’s second match will be against Wong inRubber 4, while Thien will meet Li in Rubber 5.
Young talent Nguyen Dac Tien will pair withformer champion Pham Minh Tuan to play in the doubles’ match against KaranRastogi and Wong Chun Wun. Indian-born Rastogi is an experienced player who hascompeted with Rafael Nadal in the past.
However, captain Bao may use other options.
Nam and Thien are currently Vietnam’s bestpair after they won a Men’s Futures title last year.
“I have different options and I will makeswitches based on what happens in the matches. But I would not letthem (Hong Kong) know my secret,” Bao said.
Speaking at a press briefing on February 1, HoWai Tak David, head of Hong Kong team, said Vietnam were strong, but hisplayers were powerful. His team has lost to Vietnam twice in the past, but thistime the two sides are equal in strength, so the team that performs better willwin, David said.
Captain Michael Thomas Walker said it would be adifferent result for Hong Kong compared to the past two years as they haveprepared well for the Davis Cup. The players’ performances were tested at adomestic event in December, he said, adding that he hoped the weather would befine so that nothing would affect his team’s abilities.
The winner will play the winner in the clashbetween Pakistan and Iran from April 7 to 9.-VNA
VNA
