
Malaysia makes swift return to Davis Cup Group III
Malaysia secured promotion after beating Qatar 2-0 in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group IV promotional playoffs at the National Tennis Centre here.
Despite feeling ill yesterday (July 18), key player Koay Hao Sheng, 26, did not disappoint as he downed Mubarak Alharrasi 7-5, 6-2 to give Malaysia a 1-0 lead.
Darrshan Kumar, 18, then sealed promotion to Group III next season by beating Mubarak's brother, Mossa, 6-3, 6-1.
Malaysia was, for the first time in history, relegated from Group III last year.
Hao Sheng admitted that there was pressure on the squad to immediately bounce back this season. Malaysia was also the top seed in the competition.
"I was feeling a bit dizzy yesterday but had a good rest last night and felt better today. I am quite satisfied with my performance today, I managed the pressure and the match quite well," said Hao Sheng.
"There was definitely pressure on us because this is the first time we have been in Group IV and we wanted to go back to Group III really badly.
"As the oldest player in the squad, I felt responsible for the team. The other players, however, did really well and that took some of the burden off my shoulders."
And it was double-joy for the Perlis-born as he will be celebrating his birthday next week (July 27).
"I couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift, I really appreciate all the effort put in by the whole team," said Hao Sheng.
The national squad topped Pool A earlier this week. They won all 11 matches they played, dropping only one set throughout the tournament.
National team captain Adam Jaya promised he would rotate his players throughout the tournament and did just that, giving Darrshan, Leroy Yong and Daniel Prickett all a taste of singles action. Adam also switched them around with Naufal Kamaruzzaman in the doubles.
"I am proud of my players because there were a lot of expectations on them, the whole nation wanted us to go back to Group III. They played well throughout the week," said Adam.
"Hao Sheng has very good mental strength and showed great resilience even when he was not feeling well.
"Darrshan, Leroy and Daniel are all of a similar level and rotating them kept our opponents guessing. It also creates good competition for spots in the team."
As expected, unseeded favourites the Philippines, who topped Pool B, also secured promotion to Group III after beating Kygyzstan 2-0 in their playoff.
Second seeds Pacific Oceana and Nepal were relegated to Group V next year after losing 2-1 to Iraq and 2-0 to Kuwait respectively in the relegation playoffs.
The Philippines tennis federation was suspended by the ITF in late 2020 due to governance issues. The suspension was lifted in January last year which is why they are currently making their way back up from the lower divisions in both men's and women's tennis.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
WUG 2025: Azeem fails to make 200m final, admits not ready for two events
BOCHUM (Germany): National sprinter Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi failed to qualify for the men's 200-metre (m) final at the 2025 Rhine-Ruhr World University Games (WUG) in Lohrheidestadion here early Friday morning Malaysian time. The 21-year-old Auburn University student clocked 21.51 seconds (s), slower than his first-round time of 21.26s set yesterday. South Africa's Bayanda Walaza, who claimed the 100m title, maintained his strong performance by topping the heat with a time of 20.76s, followed by Adria Medero of Spain (20.77s) and Christopher Ius of Australia (20.85s). Speaking to reporters after the race, Muhammad Azeem admitted to suffering from fatigue after competing over four consecutive days, including the 100m event. "I still ran today to prove that I belong here, and I want to compete, not just participate. After today's race, I realised my body's condition isn't ready to handle two events in one meet. "But this is a good preparation for 2026 because I plan to run in both the 100m and 200m. The vision is clearer now, so I wouldn't say I'm disappointed because I know this isn't my main event," he said. According to Muhammad Azeem, this was his first time competing in two events at a single meet since his school days. "It's definitely tough. If you look at it, only Walaza is doing well in both events, and the rest specialise in the 200m. "For me, the 200m is a good race because it helps improve my 100m, especially in terms of top-end speed. That's why my coach and I are planning to focus on both events next year," said the Teluk Intan-born sprinter. Muhammad Azeem's personal best for the 200m stands at 20.79s, which he set in April at a championship in Florida - his sole appearance in the event this year before WUG. His personal best is just 0.02s behind the national record of 20.77s held by Russel Alexander Nasir Taib. Next, Muhammad Azeem, who finished fourth in the 100m, will join the national 4x100m relay squad for the heats scheduled for early Saturday Malaysian time. Meanwhile, the national mixed 4x400m quartet of Umar Osman, Muhammad Aidil Azhar Azrul Hisyam, Nurul Aliah Maisarah Nor Azmi and Chelsea Cassiopea Evalli Bopulas missed out on a place in the final after finishing last in heat two of round one with a time of 3 minutes 31.72s. In badminton, Malaysia's Eogene Ewe and Wong Ling Ching advanced to the singles quarter-finals after victories in the round of 16 at the Westenergie Sporthalle in Mulheim an der Ruhr. Eogene beat Thailand's Wongsup Wongsup-In 15-12, 15-9 to set up a clash with Ting Yen Chen of Taiwan, while Ling Ching defeated compatriot Siti Zulaikha Muhammad Azmi 15-3, 15-12 to face India's Devika Sihag next.


The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Azeem falls short in 200m at WUG, shifts focus to 4x100m
NATIONAL sprinter Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi failed to qualify for the men's 200-metre (m) final at the 2025 Rhine-Ruhr World University Games (WUG) in Lohrheidestadion here early Friday morning Malaysian time. The 21-year-old Auburn University student clocked 21.51 seconds (s), slower than his first-round time of 21.26s set yesterday. South Africa's Bayanda Walaza, who claimed the 100m title, maintained his strong performance by topping the heat with a time of 20.76s, followed by Adria Medero of Spain (20.77s) and Christopher Ius of Australia (20.85s). Speaking to reporters after the race, Muhammad Azeem admitted to suffering from fatigue after competing over four consecutive days, including the 100m event. 'I still ran today to prove that I belong here, and I want to compete, not just participate. After today's race, I realised my body's condition isn't ready to handle two events in one meet. 'But this is a good preparation for 2026 because I plan to run in both the 100m and 200m. The vision is clearer now, so I wouldn't say I'm disappointed because I know this isn't my main event,' he said. According to Muhammad Azeem, this was his first time competing in two events at a single meet since his school days. 'It's definitely tough. If you look at it, only Walaza is doing well in both events, and the rest specialise in the 200m. 'For me, the 200m is a good race because it helps improve my 100m, especially in terms of top-end speed. That's why my coach and I are planning to focus on both events next year,' said the Teluk Intan-born sprinter. Muhammad Azeem's personal best for the 200m stands at 20.79s, which he set in April at a championship in Florida - his sole appearance in the event this year before WUG. His personal best is just 0.02s behind the national record of 20.77s held by Russel Alexander Nasir Taib. Next, Muhammad Azeem, who finished fourth in the 100m, will join the national 4x100m relay squad for the heats scheduled for early Saturday Malaysian time. Meanwhile, the national mixed 4x400m quartet of Umar Osman, Muhammad Aidil Azhar Azrul Hisyam, Nurul Aliah Maisarah Nor Azmi and Chelsea Cassiopea Evalli Bopulas missed out on a place in the final after finishing last in heat two of round one with a time of 3 minutes 31.72s. In badminton, Malaysia's Eogene Ewe and Wong Ling Ching advanced to the singles quarter-finals after victories in the round of 16 at the Westenergie Sporthalle in Mulheim an der Ruhr. Eogene beat Thailand's Wongsup Wongsup-In 15-12, 15-9 to set up a clash with Ting Yen Chen of Taiwan, while Ling Ching defeated compatriot Siti Zulaikha Muhammad Azmi 15-3, 15-12 to face India's Devika Sihag next - BERNAMA


Free Malaysia Today
17 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Malaysian referee to officiate at Fifa under-20 World Cup
Malaysian referee Nazmi Nasaruddin was earlier among the candidates to referee at the 2026 World Cup, which the US, Canada and Mexico will jointly host. (Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysian referee Nazmi Nasaruddin has been chosen to officiate at the under-20 World Cup 2025, slated to be held in Chile from Sept 27 to Oct 19. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said Zairul Khalil Tan and Mu'azi Zainal Abidin have also been appointed as assistant referees. 'We want to congratulate the trio and wish them all the best in carrying out their duties at the championship. 'FAM's top leadership also wants to thank Fifa and the Asian Football Confederation for their faith in Malaysian referees. 'We consider it a huge honour and recognition of our efforts to empower the standard of refereeing,' FAM said in a statement today. Nazmi was earlier among the candidates to referee at the 2026 World Cup, which the US, Canada and Mexico will jointly host. He was also the first Malaysian referee to officiate a match in the Asian Champions League, which uses video assistant referee technology.