Unbeaten Hong Kong reached the second round of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania zone group three after whitewashing Tajikistan 3-0 in their final match in pool A at Victoria Park yesterday. With a 100 per cent record in their nine group matches, Hong Kong will now meet Sri Lanka in today's second stage. Sir Lanka finished second in pool B after losing 2-1 to group winner Vietnam. The latter will meet Malaysia in another second-round match today. The second stage, comprising the top two teams from each group, will also be played in a round robin format which will decide the first two teams for promotion to group two. Hong Kong, having beaten rivals Malaysia 3-0 in the group stage, had emerged a strong favourites to win the berth for group two. 'The tie against Malaysia was unexpectedly difficult, but the one against Tajikistan today was unexpectedly easy,' said non-playing captain Derek Lam Hei-ming after Hong Kong won all their group matches yesterday. 'We did not use our strongest line-up today but the two youngsters lived up to expectations with two easy wins.' Martin Sayer, Hong Kong's fourth-ranked player, was hardly tested as he ousted Mirhusein Yakhyaev 6-0, 6-1 in the opening singles. Compatriot Brian Hung Lap-hei was also in control in the following match which he won 6-0, 6-1 against Dilishod Sharifi. The Hong Kong duo combined well in the doubles against the same set of Tajikistan players when they prevailed 6-0, 6-0. Although Lam refused to reveal Hong Kong's line-up for today's match, it is expected that number one singles player Yu Hiu-tung and the second-ranked Wayne Wong Wing-lun will be deployed for the match against the Sri Lankans, while selection for the doubles will remain the same as today's match. 'I am in good form and would love to take Hong Kong back to group two,' said Yu yesterday when he watched his colleagues against the Tajikistanis. 'Sri Lanka are almost unknown to us, but I did beat their top player in a tournament some time ago so I am quite confident that we will beat them.'
