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China Daily, July 6, 2011
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China's Zeng Shaoxuan, Li Zhe, Gong Maoxin, Zhang Ze and Wu Di (from left to right) pose for a picture on Tuesday in Beijing before their Davis Cup Asian/Oceania Zone Group One second-round match against Australia, which begins on Friday. Provide to China Daily |
Facing tough opponents, including former world No 1 Lleyton Hewitt and Wimbledon quarterfinalist Bernard Tomic, a young Chinese contingent plans to deliver a top performance in its Davis Cup battle against Australia at home.
The Chinese squad has no member ranked in the world's top 300, but that doesn't deter the host nation against a country which has won 28 Davis Cup titles and is expected to eliminate China and advance to September's World Group playoffs.
"Although we lag far behind in the world rankings, we will play on home soil. That's our advantage. Definitely, they are the favorites, but mentally, we have less pressure compared to them," China's captain and former star, Zeng Shaoxuan, said during a press conference on Tuesday.
"This time we will play at home with a lot of spectators cheering for us, that will be huge motivation," Wu Di, who stunned Yang Tsung-hua in the decisive fifth match to help China edge out Chinese Taipei 3-2 in a first-round battle in March, said, supporting his captain.
Apart from Wu, his doubles partner, Li Zhe, China's current top player, Gong Maoxin, who ranks No 349 in the world, and promising star, Zhang Ze, will join forces to take on the Aussies.
Tuning up at International Tennis Federation (ITF) Challenger tournaments, the Chinese squad, which relishes the chance to learn from high-level opponents, said it is well armed to handle the encounter.
"We have been training together for two weeks and are prepared for the battle against them. We have analyzed their match videos carefully to set our plans, especially for Hewitt and Tomic.
"I have beaten Tomic before at ITF tournaments. Although he is red-hot after Wimbledon, the match is still open. We have the chance, and we will play hard," 19-year-old Wu, who is ranked 392, said.
However, injuries are a concern for the optimistic Chinese team as one of its best singles players, Bai Yan, who upset Czech veteran Radek Stepanek at last year's ATP Shanghai Masters, is unable to play the tie due to an elbow injury.
Fellow singles player, Zhang Ze, is back from a foot injury, but says he is "in-form".
"My body condition is totally OK now. I just won some ITF matches. I am keen and energetic for competition," said Zhang.
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