Local No 1 Yu Hiu-tung failed to save Hong Kong from a first-round defeat in yesterday's opening reverse singles match of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group II tie against Kuwait at the Chinese Recreation Club (CRC).
The defeat meant Kuwait took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five series which was delayed by rain over the weekend and moved from Victoria Park to the indoor venue at the CRC.
Yiu, 20, was up against Kuwaiti No 1, Mohammed Al Ghareeb, but suffered a 4-6, 4-6, 4-6 loss. Michael Brown played Musaad Al Jazzaf in the meaningless fifth and final rubber late yesterday.
After losing the two opening singles matches on Friday, Hong Kong had looked down and out. But on Saturday John Hui and Brian Hung, faced with a must-win situation in a doubles match, brought Hong Kong back
into contention.
The pair were dominant in overcoming Abdullah Magdas and debutant Ahmed Rabeea, 6-3,