CANADIAN Murray Bennetto has been called into the Hongkong Davis Cup training squad in preparation for the territory's Asia-Oceania Zone first-round tie against Japan at Victoria Park next month.
Bennetto has stayed in the territory for four years and is therefore eligible for Hongkong Davis Cup duty under the three-year residency requirement. He is one of seven players currently training at Victoria Park and at the South China courts at King's Park for the March 26-28 tie.
A professional coach, Bennetto has competed successfully in local tournaments, reaching quarter-finals and semi-finals in such events as the South China Open although he is considered more of a doubles player.
Bennetto joins Melvin Tong as the two newcomers to the squad. The other members are Sven Koehler, Michael Walker, Colin Grant, Pang Lui and Thorsten Poelzl.
Non-playing captain Mark Bailey said the Hongkong squad of four players would be named 10 days before the tie.
''Physically, we are going quite well but we need to play in a lot of matches to get match fit. All seven in training are involved in the Hongkong Hardcourt Championships so that should help,'' said Bailey.