Latest news with #DavisCupAsia-Oceania
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia face do-or-die Davis Cup battle against Qatar
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will take on Qatar in a do-or-die battle in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group IV playoff tomorrow — with promotion to Group III on the line. Malaysia, led by captain Adam Jaya, booked their spot in the playoff as Pool A champions with a 3-0 win over Kyrgyzstan at the National Tennis Centre today. Koay Hao Sheng battled to a 6-4, 5-7, 5-2 victory over Mirgiiaz Mirdzhaliev, clinching Malaysia's first point after his opponent retired in the deciding set. Leroy Yong then clinched the tie with a hard-fought 6-4, 7-6 win against Ilgiz Kamchibekov. The doubles pairing of Darrshan Suresh Kumar-Daniel Prickett completed the sweep, defeating Kirill Kistanov-Erbol Eldiyar Uulu 6-2, 6-0. A play-off win against Pool B runners-up Qatar will earn Malaysia promotion to Group III next year. Adam said he was pleased with the team's performance against Kyrgyzstan, but expects Qatar to give a tough challenge. "These past three days have been satisfying. As you saw, my first singles players over these three days were three different players. In the group, we won all our matches but nothing is more important than tomorrow's D-Day," said the non-playing team skipper. "Qatar is a very good team. Like Malaysia, they have experience in Group II and Group III, and are now in Group IV. Their players are consistent and fit." In the other Pool A match played today, Iraq beat Nepal 3-0. In Pool B, the Philippines cruised to a 3-0 win over Qatar to finish top and will meet Pool A runners-up Kyrgyzstan.
New Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia serve up dominant performance to reach Davis Cup play-offs
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia booked their spot in the play-off round of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group IV campaign with a 3-0 win over Iraq in their penultimate Pool A clash on Thursday. Koay Hao Sheng got Malaysia off to a strong start at the National Tennis Centre with a hard-fought 7-6, 7-5 win over Abdullah Ali Hatem Ghrairi. Darrshan Suresh Kumar then made quick work of Akam Bakr with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory to give Malaysia an unassailable 2-0 lead, before Daniel Prickett-Naufal Siddiq Kamaruzzaman sealed the comprehensive win with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Mohammed Al Shammari-Abdullah Ali Hatem in the doubles. The team will face Kyrgyzstan on Friday to determine the Pool A champions. Darrshan was pleased with his form and is aiming to secure victory against Kyrgyzstan for a favourable play-off draw. "It was quite solid. I am really happy with my performance, the way I was moving, especially my serves. I was struggling a bit yesterday, but today was much better," said the 18-year-old. "We played Kyrgyzstan in a training session last week. They know our game style and we know theirs. It's pretty even... it will come down to who plays better tennis tomorrow." "We need to secure the top spot. As you know, in the other group, anything can happen. Everyone here is solid. Everyone wants to win and earn promotion to Group III." "Tomorrow (Friday) we have to win and finish top of the group, so we can play the number two team from the other group. We just have to do our part and hope for the best." "We all want to win, especially after what happened last year when we were relegated to Group IV. It wasn't something we were proud of. This year, we're trying to fix that and get back to where we belong." In the other Pool A, Kyrgyzstan defeated Nepal 3-0.
New Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Group win essential as Malaysia eyes Davis Cup redemption
KUALA LUMPUR: The national squad has little margin for error during the group stage of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group IV competition which starts tomorrow (July 16), says national team head coach Muliyadi Jamal. Muliyadi said his charges must win their group to avoid a potential clash with unseeded favourites, the Philippines, in the promotional playoffs at the National Tennis Centre here. Malaysia, the top seeds, have been drawn alongside Iraq, Kyrgyzstan and Nepal in Pool A. Philippines have been drawn in Pool B with second seeds Pacific Oceania, Kuwait and Qatar. "Ideally we would have wanted to have Philippines in the same group as us so we don't have to face them in the playoffs," said Muliyadi after the draw today (July 15). "Philippines have a very strong doubles pair who are essentially their 'fixed deposit'. All they have to do is win one of the singles. "I would say our group is the easier of the two and we have to win it to avoid having to face Philippines in the playoffs as it is likely they will win the other group. "I believe Kyrgyzstan is the toughest team in our group as they also have a strong doubles pair. "Having said that, our players are well prepared and are keen to get the competition started." The Philippines' doubles pair of Francis Alcantara-Ruben Gonzales won gold at the Phnom Penh Sea Games in 2023. Gonzales has been ranked as high as No. 116 in the ATP singles rankings while Alcantara has been ranked as high as No. 162 in the doubles. 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. Muliyadi has opted to register Koay Hao Sheng, Leroy Yong, Darrshan Kumar, Daniel Prickett and Naufal Kamaruzzaman in his final squad for the competition. Malaysia is on a mission for redemption after being relegated for the first time from Group III last year. The squad will open their campaign against Nepal tomorrow (July 16). Order of play July 16 (all ties start 10am) Pool A: Malaysia vs Nepal, Kyrgyzstan vs Iraq
