Hong Kong win back Davis Cup group II status in Dubai tournament
New-look side returns to Asia/Oceania group II after almost completing clean sweep in Dubai
A new-look Hong Kong have won back promotion into group II in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone next year after finishing runners-up to Vietnam at the eight-team group III competition in Dubai.
Demoted from group II last year, Hong Kong fielded a new squad for the round-robin competition to decide two teams to be promoted for 2014. Led by Davis Cup debutants Phillip King and Ognian Kolev, the move worked as the team lost only to Vietnam in the week-long tournament.
"It was a new side and both our singles players were a class above most of the opposition," Hong Kong team manager David Ho Wai-tak said. "Hopefully, we can now take the next step and remain in group II next year. A lot will depend on how our singles perform."
King, a former US junior champion, and Kolev did the bulk of the work as Hong Kong finished unbeaten in the pool competition with wins over Malaysia (3-0), Oman (2-1) and Iran (2-1). They then beat Cambodia 2-1 to book a place in the final against Vietnam who were unbeaten in the other pool.
King, 32, retired hurt after Kolev gave Hong Kong a 1-0 lead, and Vietnam took the doubles with juniors Andrew Li Hei-yin and Tommy Lam Siu-chuen losing in straight sets
"The team really dug deep," non-playing captain Christopher Lai said. "Both Philip and Ognian were absolute rocks and delivered win after win despite difficult conditions. Their performances really shone through.