Both the Junior Davis Cup and Junior Fed Cup teams from Hong Kong ran into in-form, seeded oppositions on Day 2 of the Asia/Oceania Qualifying in Australia, with the boys losing 2-1 to No. 2 seeds India, while the trio of girls came away with a 3-0 loss against 8th-seeded Korea despite Katherine Ip taking her opposite number to a deciding set.
According to Hong Kong's JDC captain, Alistair Todd, the boys had the brightest of starts when James Kong (ITF 520) took the opening set against Saurabh Singh (ITF 108). Trailing 2-5 in the second set, the HK rep slipped on the slick grass, and rolled heavily over his ankle. He managed to continue on, conceding the next game and the set, 2-6.
However, by now, the immediate swelling around the ankle area was telling, and was obvious he could play no further part in rest of the day's play. James retired with the score tied at a set apiece, 6-4, 2-6.
In the battle between the two number ones, Justin To's (ITF 321) play was perhaps a tad subdued compared to his rousing win over the Philippines No. 1 on Thursday. Although that may have been a contributing factor to his loss to Mohit Mayur (ITF 168), it was the Indian's scintillating display that won the day.
Although Mayur has a losing record against the HK number one, a straight-set loss at the 2007 ITF Asian14U Jr Championships, the Indian was red-hot and came out firing on all cylinders. Not only did he try to tee off early during most exchanges, he was making those shots with frightening regularity, and painting the lines with surreal accuracy.
Against such an in-form player, the HK rep tried all he could but with play contested on such ultra-slick turf, it was to no avail, as Mohit Mayur won it in double-quick time, 6-1, 6-3, to give the Indians an unassailable 2-0 lead.
While the boys could have easily caved in during the remaining doubles, Justin To and Vincent Yau did extremely well to overcome tough situations to post a hard-fought, 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-5, against Saurabh Singh and Ronit Bisht instead.
JDC captain, Alistair Todd, was more than pleased with their performance: "Though in defeat, the boys went down fighting against second-seeded India today. The doubles tandem of Justin To and Vincent Yau reclaimed a sizeable chunk of lost momentum heading into Friday's final group match by coming back from a set and a break down twice to win the doubles against the 2nd-seeded Indians. Very good win by the boys against a very good doubles pair. Hopefully the momentum will carry over to our final match against Kazakhstan," he said.
Elsewhere in Group D, Kazakhstan remained winless after suffering a 3-0 loss against the Philippines on Thursday. Barring a huge upset loss by India, a win on Friday against Kazakhstan in the final round robin match should be enough to see the territory advance to the knockout stage as runner-up of the group behind previously undefeated India.
Former Indian Davis Cupper, Vishal Uppal, is the current Junior Davis Cup team captain for India.
Meanwhile, over on the girls' side, Hong Kong was pitted against No. 8 seeds Korea. At number two singles, Leung Lok Sze played much better after making some adjustments and getting used to the natural turf. However, the all-round play of Yea Hyojung (ITF 425) proved too good on the day, as the Korean won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.
At number one singles, Katherine Ip (ITF 786) started off stronger of the two and she was able to pin the high-ranked Jang Su-Jeong (ITF 255) back consistently with deep groundstrokes, forcing her opponent out of her comfort zone.
With very little unforced errors herself, the HK number one often managed to induce the Korean into making mistakes, and quite opportunistically took the opening set. After the change of ends, however, Jang came out a different player and her heavy groundstrokes began to find their mark. After making the crucial break at 3-3 in the second set, the world No. 255 ran away with the rest of the match, taking it in the end, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
In the doubles, Leung Loz Sze teamed up with Lucy Tang for the second match running but came away second best against Korea's Choi Ji-Hee and Jang Su-Jeong, 6-1, 6-0.
JFC Captain Eric Chung reports: "The girls made some adjustments and definitely played better today and dealt with the grass better. But the Koreans are technically very well trained and fitness-wise was top-notch. Katherine did very well to take the opening set against their No. 1 but the Korean girl came back very strong in the end. Nonetheless, it was good experience for the girls, and matches like these are part of the learning curve at this level. Our last group match on Friday will be against Malaysia. Hopefully, we can get a win against them before the positionals start."
About the Junior Davis Cup & Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas (tennis.bnpparibas.com)
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
Group D – Day 2 (Apr 16)
(2)INDIA defeated HONG KONG 2 – 1
R-1 Saurabh Singh (IND) d. James Kong (HKG) 4-6 6-2 -- Retired (ankle)
R-2 Mohit Mayur (IND) d. Justin To (HKG) 6-1 6-3
R-3 Justin To/Vincent Yau (HKG) d. Saurabh Singh/Ronit Bisht (IND) 3-6 7-6(7) 7-5
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/Yuki Ito (JPN) d. Leung Lok Sze/Lucy Tang (HKG) 6-2 6-1
Group A - Day 2 (Apr 16)
(1)KOREA defeated HONG KONG 3 – 0
R-1 Yea Hyojung (KOR) d. Leung Lok Sze (HKG) 6-2 6-1
R-2 Jang Su-Jeong (KOR) d. Katherine Ip (HKG) 3-6 6-4 6-2
R-3 Jang Su-Jeong/Choi Ji-Hee (KOR) d. Leung Lok Sze/Lucy Tang (HKG) 6-1 6-0