Malaysian players could face Alex Eala in Billie Jean King Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: National coach Koay Hao Sheng is expecting a tough outing at the Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group II competition in Kuala Lumpur on June 16-21.
Hao Sheng believes Pacific Oceania, Indonesia and Philippines will be Malaysia's toughest opponents in the competition, especially if the latter fields their rising star Alexandra Eala.
The national squad will, however, have home ground advantage at the National Tennis Centre at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim.
"We have seen these teams play before so we know it will be a tough competition," said Hao Sheng recently.
"Pacific Oceania are coming down from Group I (last year) while Philippines have one player (Alexandra) who is playing really well at the moment and just reached the semi-finals in Miami recently.
"I believe she (Alexandra) is keen to play for her country in BJKC but I am not sure if she will be able to compete here (Kuala Lumpur).
"The Group II competition will be held after the end of the French Open and a few weeks before Wimbledon.
"I guess whether she plays or not will depend on what her preparation plans are for Wimbledon."
Alexandra, competing on a wild card, achieved a breakthrough performance at the Miami Open last month, scalping three grand slam champions - Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek - en route to the semi-finals where she was narrowly edged by Jessica Pegula.
The 19-year-old is now at a career-high No. 72 in the WTA rankings.
The other countries competing in Group II are Singapore, Uzbekistan, Northern Mariana Islands, Kyrgyzstan, Iran and Mongolia.
Malaysia achieved a top-three finish in the BJKC Asia-Oceania Group II competition last year, which was the national team's best-ever performance.
"It will not be easy but we will definitely try to equal our top-three finish from last year," said Hao Sheng.
"Nothing is guaranteed because the other teams will also be well prepared but at the same time nothing is impossible."
Tennis Malaysia is expected to name their BJKC squad roughly two weeks before the Group II competition starts. Hao Sheng is likely to be named team captain.
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