Taiwan yesterday advanced to the second round of Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group II after completing a convincing 4-1 victory over Malaysia in Kaohsiung.
With the hosts leading 2-1 after the first two days’ play, Huang Liang-chi ensured Taiwan would advance to the second round by cruising to a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Malaysia’s Mohd Merzuki in just 72 minutes in the first reverse singles rubber at Kaohsiung’s Yang-Ming Tennis Center.
The Taiwanese saved both break points he faced and converted six of 14, winning 89 of the 144 points contested to hand his side an unassailable 3-1 in the first-round tie.
Photo: CNA
In the dead second reverse singles rubber, which was reduced to the best of three sets, Taiwan’s Hung Jui-chen defeated Hao Koay 7-5, 6-1 in 63 minutes.
Hung, who bounced back from losing his first singles rubber on Friday, saved one of two break points and converted four of seven, winning 66 of the 110 points contested during the match.
In the second round, Taiwan are to face the Philippines, who wrapped up their match against Kuwait by winning the doubles rubber in Metro Manila on Saturday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead.
The second-round meeting is due to take place from July 15 to July 17.
Taiwan will be hoping that world No. 94 Lu Yen-hsun is fit and available in time for the second-round clash, with the winners going on to contest a playoff for promotion to Asia/Oceania Group I in September.
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