Up-and-coming teenager Yu Hiu-tung could be blooded if Hong Kong take a decisive early lead in the Davis Cup relegation playoff against Malaysia at Victoria Park this weekend.
Yu, the only new face in the four-strong squad that lost 4-1 to Taiwan in the first round in February, is still to make his Davis Cup debut for Hong Kong. But having replaced Chris Numbers, Yu could get his chance as the SAR battle Malaysia in the Asia/ Oceania Zone Group Two tie.
'We have made one change to the side that lost to Taiwan. We feel it is time to bring on the juniors and this is why Yu is included in the squad. I may use him in a live or dead rubber,' non-playing captain Derek Ling said yesterday.
But as it is a crucial tie - Hong Kong must win to avoid being relegated to Group Three next year - the chances of Ling fielding the 17-year-old Yu are slim. That is unless Hong Kong win the opening two singles tomorrow and wrap up the tie with a doubles win on Saturday.
Numbers has been dropped because Hong Kong feel that they have enough firepower to see off the Malaysians. Numbers, a serve-and-volley specialist, was brought in for the tie against Taiwan in the hope that he could spring a surprise on the seeds. The plan mis-fired.
Michael Brown will lead the assault on the Malaysians. Brown has emerged as Hong Kong's number-one Davis Cup player since making his debut last year. The 30-year-old Australian holds an enviable 5-1 record, his only loss being at the hands of talented Taiwanese teenager Wang Yeu-tzuoo during February's first-round tie.
The rest of the squad comprises the doubles pairing of Melvin Tong and John Hui, bronze medallists at the China National Games last year. Either Tong or Hui might have to play singles on the opening day if Ling refuses to take a gamble and field the untested Yu. The reserve player in the team is Brian Hung, another emerging junior.
