Tennis

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam target a berth in the higher group when they take part in the Davis Cup, Asia/Oceania Zone Group III competition next week.

The national team includes some of the strongest athletes — World No 465 Lý Hoàng Nam, national champion Phạm Minh Tuấn, rising star Trịnh Linh Giang and veteran player Lê Quốc Khánh under captain Trương Quốc Bảo and foreign trainer Tanveer Ashiq.

They took their first training in Hà Nội yesterday.

“They are currently the best players, and with the advantage of the home turf, we hope to be promoted to Group II next season,” said Bảo.

This is the first time such a major tournament is being organised in the capital after four previous editions in HCM City.

The tournament will see nine teams divided into nine groups. Việt Nam, with a world ranking of 67, are the top seed in Pool A, while Kuwait, World No 73, are the top seed in Pool B.

A draw will be held on April 1.

They will compete in the round-robin format in the group stage. Two best teams of each group will advance to the next round. Two winners of this round will join Group II in 2019.

Four teams that rank the lowest in the group round will compete in play-off matches. The two losing teams will be dropped to Group IV.

The tournament will be held at the Mỹ Đình Athletics Complex from April 2-7.

Matches will start at 5pm daily and those held at the centre court will be aired live on Thể Thao TV, Thể Thao Tin tức HD as well as apps such as VTVcab ON and Youtube VTF Media. — VNS