HONG KONG hope that having Michael Walker in the opening singles match can bring a change of luck when the territory takes on Indonesia in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group One tie at Victoria Park today. The territory were thrashed 5-0 by Japan last year when Colin Grant played the first rubber, and the team were delighted when Walker's name was pulled out off the hat during yesterday's draw. ''If it's an omen this is going to be different from last year, then it's a good omen,'' said Walker, who was originally named non-playing captain but was recalled to action following the withdrawal of Sven Koehler and Bill Young. Walker, the Hong Kong number two, takes on top Indonesian Benny Wijaya in the opening singles rubber scheduled to start at 2 pm and this will be followed by the second match between Colin Grant and Indonesia's teenage sensation Suwandi. Wijaya is ranked 290th in the world but Walker, who has lost more than 20 pounds during training, is hopeful of an upset. ''On paper Benny must be the favourite as he is the Indonesian number one and 290th in the world, but I'm not writing myself off,'' the 27-year-old left-hander said. Former team manager David Ho Wai-tak, who took over the captaincy, is keeping his fingers crossed that Walker can put Hong Kong on the winning path with a first-up triumph. He said: ''I don't think there is much difference between Michael and Benny. They were both in the 500s in 1992. ''Michael would be our better chance of kicking off the tie on a winning note and we're delighted that he is on first.'' Indonesian captain Wailan Walalangi is also happy with the draw, which sees the more experienced Wijaya taking to the court ahead of Suwanti, the 17-year-old SEA Games champion. Walalangi said: ''Benny is the leader in our team. It's good that he plays first because if he wins, it will take the pressure off Suwanti.'' Hong Kong's German-born Thorsten Poelzl faces a baptism of fire in his Davis Cup debut as he has been named to partner Walker in tomorrow's doubles for which the visitors have picked Bonit Wiryawan and Donny Susetyo. Poelzl, a member of last year's training squad who failed to make the final selection, was picked ahead of Grant after striking up a formidable partnership with Walker during Hong Kong's recent training stint in the Philippines. He and Walker won all five sets they played against various Philippines Davis Cup combinations. Captain Ho said: ''Thorsten is faster than Colin and his volleys are also better, the doubles game suits him and although this is his first Davis Cup, we are confident he can play a good match. ''The doubles will be very important and could be the deciding match in the tie.'' Although admitting that Hong Kong are rated the underdogs, Ho stressed that their hopes and confidence are rising by the day. ''A month ago I thought it would be a 30-70 match in favour of the opposition but now everybody in the team thinks we can do it,'' said Ho.
