Like in their first singles match on Friday, Taiwan fought hard against China in Davis Cup play yesterday, but ultimately lost 6-7 (4/7), 6-7 (4/7), 3-6 in the doubles.
China now lead their Asia Oceania Group 1 first-round playoff 2-1 after Li Zhe and Zhang Ze came out on top over Taiwan’s Hsieh Cheng-peng and Lee Hsin-han on the second day at the Yangming Tennis Courts in Greater Kaohsiung.
The two teams split their singles matches on Friday.
Photo: Sam Yeh, AFP
The reverse singles are due to be be played today, with Taiwan’s Yang Tsung-hua facing off against Zhang first. If Yang wins, Taiwan’s fate in the rubber match that follows will be in the hands of Jimmy Wang, who plays Wu Di.
The loser of the tie will face a second relegation playoff against New Zealand in a last chance to avoid falling to Group 2.
Meanwhile, Australia advanced to the World Group playoffs by winning the doubles yesterday to take an unbeatable 3-0 lead over South Korea in Brisbane.
The Australia combination of Chris Guccione and Marinko Matosevic downed Jeong Suk-young and Seol Jae-min in the doubles rubber, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 to clinch their Asia Oceania Group 1 second-round tie.
The 28-time winners Australia will now bid to return to the Davis Cup elite group via the playoffs in September.
Bernard Tomic and Matthew Ebden gave Australia a 2-0 lead over South Korea with straight-set wins in the opening singles on Friday.
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