Earlier today at the WJT Asia/Oceania Qualifying in Kuching, Hong Kong was beaten by top seeds Japan 3-0 but still qualified for the knockout stage as runners-up of Group A. In Thursday's quarterfinal, HK will face-off with 5th-seeded China with a place in September's World Finals at stake.

According to a report on sports.eastday.com, prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a Tennis "Stars of Tomorrow" programme began in China. Over 250 kids aged 12 & Under originating from some 32 provinces were handpicked and then eventually cut and trimmed down to roughly 9 outstanding talents.

On Thursday, No. 7 seeds Hong Kong will go up against a 5th-seeded China side led by its number one, Li Yi-Hong.

Sichuan's 13-year-old Li Yi-Hong was precisely one of the above-mentioned Stars of Tomorrow.

Earlier in February, Li Yi-Hong, along with eight other Chinese youngsters who had already been in training camps domestically, were sent to a US academy in Eugene, Oregon, for a month of intensive training and competition. She then returned to Anhui in March for the "Journey 2016" Youth Training Camp (Elite Trials), during which she won a pair of doubles and a singles competition to top the trials in first place.

According to the 2008 National G14 Year-end Rankings List, Li Yi-Hong finished in 15th place, with Huang Jia-Lu in 17th and Sun Zi-Yue in 37th respectively.

Thus far this week, Li Yi-Hong has still not been tested yet. Against No. 4 seeds Indonesia earlier this afternoon, she led Aldila Sutjiadi 6-3, 2-2, when the Indo number one had to retire prematurely.

Against the top-seeded Japanese earlier today, Hong Kong's Venus Pang and Katherine Ip were beaten at No. 2 and No. 1 singles by Mami Adachi and Miho Kowase in straight sets respectively. Eudice Chong and Katherine Ip then combined for the doubles but came away with a 6-3, 6-1 setback against Ayaka Okuno and Mami Adachi.

Fortunately, the girls from Hong Kong had already ensured themselves a place in the knockout stage by virtue of winning their opening two round robin matches against Myanmar and Chinese Taipei.

The last time a Girls' 14U team from Hong Kong made the knockout stage of the Asia/Oceania Qualifying occurred in 2004 when Geraldine Leong, Sher Chun Wing, and Tsang Pui Yee managed to upset India in the round robins to qualify as group runners-up behind Korea.

In other results, Korea beat New Zealand 2-1 to finish atop Group D and will therefore be the No. 2-seeded team behind Japan in the ensuing quarterfinals.

In the top half of the knockout draw, Japan will go against No. 4 seeds Indonesia, followed bu 3rd-seeded Australia against Kazakhstan, the only unseeded team in the last eight.

In the bottom bracket, No. 2 seeds Korea will face No. 6 Thailand, while No. 7 Hong Kong will meet No. 5 China.

The top-4 finishing teams, i.e. the semifinalists, shall automatically qualify for the World Junior Tennis Finals in Prostejov, Czech Republic.

For complete draws and full results, click here.

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Hong Kong's 14U teams placed 10th and 8th overall at WJT regional qualifying (21 May 2004)

Thirteen-year-old phenom to follow Yan Zi's footsteps (sports.eastday.com, 4 Feb 2009)