[21 June 2026 – Hong Kong] The Hong Kong, China Women’s Tennis Team, comprising Yandy Shek, Cody Wong, Kallista Liu and Vienna Lai, competed at the Billie Jean King Cup (BJKC) Asia/Oceania Group II held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during 15-20 June. With a week of hard-fought victories, the Team defeated Chinese Taipei 2-0 in the Promotion Playoff on 20 June to earn promotion to Asia/Oceania Group I next year.
Hong Kong, China was drawn into Pool A together with Kyrgyzstan, Pacific Oceania, Philippines and Singapore. After a narrow defeat to the Philippines on Day 1, Team Hong Kong went on to defeat all other opponents in the Round Robin and earned a place in the Playoffs against the first-place team in Pool B. On the final day of the competition, Kallista Liu and Yandy Shek delivered convincing straight set wins against Chinese Taipei to seal Team Hong Kong’s promotion to Asia/Oceania Group I for 2027.
Team Hong Kong had a mixture of veteran Cody Wong, as well as promising young talents Yandy Shek, Kallista Liu and Vienna Lai, who were all making their BJKC debuts this week. Shek, in
particular, delivered exceptional performance throughout the tournament as she went undefeated at No. 1 singles (5-0). She is currently at a career-high WTA ranking of No. 639.
Speaking on her maiden appearance at BJKC, Yandy Shek said “It has been a pleasure to represent Hong Kong and play BJKC this year. This week was full of emotions, pressure, sadness, nerves and excitement. I am very grateful for the opportunity to play No. 1 singles and I am very proud to say that I did my best throughout the week on and off court. First of all, I would like to thank the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (HKCTA) for believing in me and selecting me. Second, I really appreciate my teammates, coaches and physio, where we cheered for each other and fought for each other. Last but not least is my family and team. Without them I wouldn’t be able to improve along the way and be here, so I am very thankful for them”.
Andy Lau, Team Captain said “It feels incredible to be back in Group I and this achievement was truly a team effort—everyone stepped up when it mattered most. With three new players representing Hong Kong in the BJKC for the first time, it wasn’t an easy challenge. Having Cody on the team, who’s been through this situation multiple times, made a huge difference—her experience meant a lot to the team. I’d like to thank HKCTA for giving me the opportunity to lead this amazing group, and the invaluable advice and support from Coach Nelson Feng.”
Michael Cheng, President of the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association, extended his heartfelt congratulations to Team Hong Kong on achieving promotion to Group I and said “This is a significant moment for Hong Kong tennis, and it fills me with immense pride to see our players rise to the occasion on such a stage. What made this victory even more special was the way the team came together as one. From the fighting spirit shown by our young talents on court, to the leadership and guidance from Clare Wood, our Director of International Events and Competitions, Nelson Feng, Team Coach, and Andy Lau, Team Captain, it was clear that this was more than just a group of talented individuals—it was a true team effort. Every player and every member of the support staff contributed to this success.”
Cheng added, “We are grateful for the continuous support from the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Sports Institute on local tennis development. This achievement, together with the good results our players have achieved this year, further solidifies Hong Kong’s presence on the international stage.”
On Day 1, the Philippines ambushed Hong Kong, China 2-1. Alexa Milliam and Shaira Rivera, who play for the University of West Alabama in NCAA Division II, combined to win the deciding doubles against Vienna Lai and Yandy Shek 7-6(3) 6-4.
Against Kyrgyzstan on Day 2, Cody Wong and Yandy Shek dominated the singles before Kallista Liu and Vienna Lai wrapped up the doubles for a 3-0 victory.
Against Pacific Oceania on Day 3, Kallista Liu had a potentially tricky match-up against former junior world No. 24 Violet Apisah, a four-time NAIA Player of the Year. The Hong Kong representative did well to come from a set down to win 1-6 6-4 6-0 before Shek secured the victory with another straight-set victory at the one spot.
Faced with a must-win situation against Singapore in their final Pool A match which spilled over from Day 4 to Day 5 due to rain delay, Vienna Lai and Yandy Shek conceded the opening set to Eva Marie Desvignes and Tan Sue Yan before coming through in the third set super-tiebreak of the deciding doubles 3-6 6-2 [10-5].
Then, in the crucial Promotion Playoff against Chinese Taipei, Kallista Liu saved 9 of 12 break points and broke her opponent, Mia Wan, six times to win in straight sets 6-2 6-4. With the tie on the line, Yandy Shek did not disappoint, as she broke 580th-ranked Eva Yang five times to win 6-1 6-0 and remained unbeaten in singles this past week.
Hong Kong, China thus defeated Chinese Taipei 2-0 to earn promotion to Asia/Oceania Group I in 2027.
Results
BJKC Asia/Oceania Group II
15-20 June 2026
National Tennis Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Round Robin – Pool A
Philippines d. Hong Kong, China 2-1
R1 Tennielle Madis (PHI) d. Kallista Liu (HKG) 7-5 1-6 6-2
R2 Yandy Shek (HKG) d. Alexa Milliam (PHI) 6-0 6-0
R3 Alexa Milliam/Shaira Rivera (PHI) d. Vienna Lai/Yandy Shek (HKG) 7-6(3) 6-4
Hong Kong, China d. Kyrgyzstan 3-0
R1 Cody Wong (HKG) d. Sezim Sagynbaeva (KGZ) 6-0 6-1
R2 Yandy Shek (HKG) d. Safina Khabibrakhmanova (KGZ) 6-1 6-4
R3 Vienna Lai/Kallista Liu (HKG) d. Eva Gavshina/Saara Myzaeva (KGZ) 6-0 6-0
Hong Kong, China d. Pacific Oceania 3-0
R1 Kallista Liu (HKG) d. Violet Apisah (POC) 1-6 6-4 6-0
R2 Yandy Shek (HKG) d. Carolann Delaunay (POC) 6-4 6-0
R3 Vienna Lai/Yandy Shek (HKG) d. Mehetia Boosie/Patricia Apisah (POC) 6-2 6-2
Hong Kong, China d. Singapore 2-1
R1 Tan Sue Yan (SGP) d. Cody Wong (HKG) 3-6 7-6(3) 1-0 Retired
R2 Yandy Shek (HKG) d. Eva Marie Desvignes (SGP) 6-2 6-2
R3 Vienna Lai/Yandy Shek (HKG) d. Eva Marie Desvignes/Tan Sue Yan (SGP) 3-6 6-2 [10-5]
Promotion Playoff
Hong Kong, China d. Chinese Taipei 2-0
R1 Kallista Liu (HKG) d. Mia Wan (TPE) 6-2 6-4
R2 Yandy Shek (HKG) d. Yang Ya Yi (TPE) 6-1 6-0
R3 Not Played
About the Billie Jean King Cup
The Billie Jean King Cup, formerly known as the Federation Cup (1963-1995) and Fed Cup (1995-2020), was launched in 1963 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Tennis Federation. It is now the world’s largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, featuring a record participation of nearly 150 nations and regions.
Many of the game’s all-time greats, along with the current crop of talent, have featured in the competition throughout its history, e.g. Billie Jean King, Margaret Court, Chris Evert, Virginia Wade, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Venus and Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, to name a few.
Hong Kong, China competed in its first Billie Jean King Cup in 1981. The team’s best result was reaching the World Group round of sixteen in 1982 and 1990. Since the turn of this century, Hong Kong, China has earned promotion to Asia/Oceania Group I six times: 2001, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2024, and 2026.