On Wednesday, the one-two punch of Justin To (ITF 321) and James Kong (ITF 520) whitewashed No. 7 seeds Philippines, 3-0, in the opening Group D match of this year's Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Asia/Oceania Qualifying in Victoria, Australia. The 16U girls' team from the territory, however, was overpowered by top-seeded Japan, 3-0, on Day One of the Junior Fed Cup Qualifying.
This year's JDC and JFC qualifying matches are held at both the Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club, as well as the Tatura Lawn Tennis Club, located approximately 180km north-east of Melbourne.
First up at the two spot, James Kong annihilated opposing number Leander Lazzaro (ITF 923), 6-2, 6-0, to handover a confidence-boosting lead, albeit a momentary one. However, Justin To at No. 1 singles managed to expand that 1-0 advantage into a winning 2-0 lead when he beat Filipino number one, Jeson Patrombon (ITF 237), in straight sets, 7-6(3), 6-4.
"Well before I arrived here, I was already really pumped up for this year's event. Seeing how well James [Kong] played today to get that first W just gave me extra motivation and energy to fight in my match against their number one," said Justin To, who also featured at No. 1 singles two years ago on the World Junior Tennis team that came home with a Top-8 placing.
"It was a really tight match today, especially having to come from a break down in the second set. I'm looking forward to playing against No. 2 seed India, and as a team, we feel very positive. Hopefully, everything will go well for us again in the big match against the Indians tomorrow," he added.
Justin To and James Kong then collaborated to beat Patrombon and Lazzaro, 6-2, 7-5, to complete the overall 3-0 final score line.
Hong Kong will play No. 2 seed India on Thursday, possibly with the stranglehold of the Group in balance, as the winner of that match will emerge with 2Ws in the win column and quite likely a berth in the knockout stage as well.
Nevertheless, it is imperative to finish as high a position as possible in the round robins because, assuming teams finish according to seedings in the other groups, advancing to the next stage as group winners would mean having to face a lower seeded team in the early going during the knockouts.
Meanwhile, over on the girls' side, the HK Junior Fed Cup team was overwhelmed by top-seeded Japan, 3-0, in their opening Group A match. The Japanese contingent boasts having world junior No. 69 Emi Mutaguchi, No. 94 Akiko Omae, and No. 279 Risa Ozaki in its line-up.
JFC Captain Eric Chung reports: "Our girls were still struggling a bit to find the necessary timing and adjustments on natural turf, and the extra blustery conditions this morning didn't help either. That said, the Japanese team is clearly very strong, as evidenced by two of their singles players being ranked in the world's top-100."
"Under the circumstances, our girls did the best they could and did not lack any effort at all. We will be up against Korea, the No. 8 seeds, on Thursday and will certainly be trying for a better result."
About the Junior Davis Cup & Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas (tennis.bnpparibas.com)
Results
Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas
Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying
Shepparton and Tatura Lawn Tennis Clubs
Victoria, Australia
April 13-21, 2009
ROUND ROBINS
Group D - Day 1 (Apr 15)
HONG KONG defeated PHILIPPINES 3 – 0
R-1 James Kong (HKG) d. Leander Lazzaro (PHI) 6-2 6-0
R-2 Justin To (HKG) d. Jeson Patrombon (PHI) 7-6(3) 6-4
R-3 Justin To/James Kong (HKG) d. Jeson Patrombon/Leander Lazzaro (PHI) 6-2 7-5
Results
Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas
Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying
Shepparton and Tatura Lawn Tennis Clubs
Victoria, Australia
April 13-21, 2009
ROUND ROBINS
Group A - Day 1 (Apr 15)
(1)Japan defeated Hong Kong 3 – 0
R-1 Akiko Omae (JPN) d. Leung Lok Sze (HKG) 6-0 6-0
R-2 Emi Mutaguchi (JPN) d. Katherine Ip (HKG) 6-1 6-1
R-3 Akiko Omae/Risa Ozaki (JPN) d. Leung Lok Sze/Lucy Tang (HKG) 6-2 6-1