Taiwan’s Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group 1 first-round playoffs against China could go down to the wire if they continue to play like they did on the first day yesterday, as Yang Tsung-hua lost a hard-fought match in five sets to Wu Di.
Playing at the Yangming Tennis Courts in Greater Kaohsiung, Yang went down 4-6, 6-2, 6-7 (0/7), 6-3, 6-8 in the first match of the day.
However, Taiwan tied the series at 1-1 after Jimmy Wang defeated Zhang Ze 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
Photo: Sam Yeh, AFP
Today is the doubles match, which will see Hsieh Cheng-peng and Lee Hsin-han play in front of the home crowd against Zhang and Li Zhe.
In other Asia Oceania Group 1 play yesterday, Bernard Tomic and Matthew Ebden gave Australia a 2-0 lead over South Korea with wins in the opening singles of their second-round tie in Brisbane.
Tomic, 19, was down an early break before reeling off a 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 win over unranked Cho Min-hyeok.
Photo: Sam Yeh, AFP
World No. 75 Ebden built on the opening rubber success when he sealed a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win over Jeong Suk-young, ranked 730th.
Wimbledon quarter-finalist Tomic, ranked No. 36, was entrusted with leading Australia as former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt recovers from toe surgery.
Australia will advance to the World Group playoffs in September if they win in today’s doubles ahead of tomorrow’s reverse singles.
Australia have not been in the elite 16-team World Group since 2007.
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