Australia got the better of top-seeded Japan 2-0 to finish on top in the Asia/Oceania final qualifying of the Junior Davis Cup at the DLTA on Saturday.
For the second-seeded Australians, it was a hard-fought victory.
The under-16 boys toiled under the sun and eventually, with superb serves and groundstrokes, triumphed.
First up, Thanasi Kokkinakis defeated Takashi Saito 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in two-and-a-half hours. Then, Nicholas Krygios took centre-stage and sealed the deal for the Aussies as he played an intelligent game to oust Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and 15 minutes.
"The Aussies were a better team today. We played well but knew they would be a tough team to beat," said Japan coach Ko Iwamota.
Four teams, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and Thailand, are now through to the World Group, to be held in Mexico in September.
India beat Sri Lanka 2-1 to finish 13th.
Vishnu wins
Vishnu Vardhan beat Young-Jun Kim of South Korea to win his second Futures tournament on the trot. Vardhan worked hard to overcome the Korean's challenge 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(13) in a two-and-a-half hour gruelling final on Saturday. Vardhan not only fired 25 aces, he also played with aggression.
After winning the first set, Vardhan lost momentum in the second as Kim played an all-court game. However, the Indian kept playing his game in the final set. With three match points at 5-6, he was unable to convert any. In an intense tiebreaker, where Vardhan saved three match points, the Indian finally emerged victorious.
{{/usCountry}}After winning the first set, Vardhan lost momentum in the second as Kim played an all-court game. However, the Indian kept playing his game in the final set. With three match points at 5-6, he was unable to convert any. In an intense tiebreaker, where Vardhan saved three match points, the Indian finally emerged victorious.
{{/usCountry}}