Karim (fifth right) giving the thumbs up for the tournament with Liew (sixth left), and (from third right) O’Rourke, Ong and Puneet as they pose with the participants, organising committee members and tournament officials. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Host Malaysia opened their campaign in the Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying of the Junior Fed Cup on a losing note when they were whitewashed by the mighty top seeds China at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association Tennis Centre yesterday.
Xiao Zheng Hua overpowered Hannah Yip Seen Ean from Perak in straight sets 6-0, 6-3 in the first singles. China’s second singles Wang Jiaqi followed suit with an easy 6-0, 6-2 win over national U16 girls singles number two player Syarifah Elysia Wan Abdul Rahman from Kuching.
Dong Na and Wang Jiaqi then brushed Sharifah and Hannah aside 6-2, 6-3 in the doubles to complete China’s opening win in three hours and 14 minutes.
Malaysia coach Mulyadi Jamal admitted that the top seeds were simply too good for his girls.
“We were drawn in the “Group of Death” which was very tough for Malaysia, facing top seeds China, Uzbekistan and South Korea. We got to work very hard but it will be more of a learning experience for our girls,” he added.
All the remaining top eight seeds also began their campaigns on a winning note, scoring similar 3-0 wins in their respective groups.
Second seeded Hong Kong saw Jenny Wong Hoi Ki beating Bhakti Bharat Pawani 6-0, 6-1, Cody Wong Hong Yi putting down Tanisha Kasjyap 6-2, 6-2 before the two sisters teamed up to beat Tanisha-Prema Vikram Vichare 6-1, 6-3 in the doubles.
Japan were equally impressive as they dismissed the challenge from the Sri Lankans while Thailand beat Singapore, South Korea beat Uzbekistan, Australia beat New Zealand, Chinese Taipei beat Kazakhstan and Indonesia outplayed debutant Mongolia.
Earlier in the day, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah extended the Sarawak government’s welcome to the players, team captains, coaches and accompanying parents and family members during the opening ceremony.
The participants were treated with a “24-Season Drum” performance from the group from SMK Arang.
Karim, accompanied by Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee, SLTA president Dato Patrick Liew, deputy president Douglas Telajan, ITF representative Patrick O’Rourke and ITF referee Puneet Gupta, presented the team captains and players with souvenirs.