The Philippines’ quest for promotion in the Billie Jean King Cup is off to a roaring start.
The Philippine Women’s National Team, ranked No. 68 in the Billie Jean King Cup nations rankings, opened its Asia/Oceania Group II campaign with a stunning 2-1 upset of No. 52 Hong Kong on Monday at the National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Rising teenage star Tennielle Madis gave the Philippines an early advantage with a gritty three-set victory over Kallista Liu.
Unranked on the WTA Tour, the University of Hawaii-bound Madis outlasted world No. 949 Liu in a marathon match that lasted three hours and two minutes, 7-5, 1-6, 10-8.
Hong Kong’s top player, world No. 639 Cheuk Ying Shek, leveled the tie with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory over Alexa Milliam, setting the stage for the decisive doubles match.
Milliam bounced back in emphatic fashion, teaming up with former Ateneo standout Shaira Rivera to seal the tie for the Philippines.
The duo, who both play for the University of West Alabama in NCAA Division II, outlasted Cheuk and Ching Laam Lai, 7-6(3), 6-4.
The Philippines carried its momentum into Tuesday’s clash against No. 69 Singapore, securing another 2-1 victory in similar fashion.
Madis once again set the tone for the team coached by Denise Dy and Bobie Angelo, dispatching Sue Yan Tan, 6-2, 6-3.
Milliam, however, continued to struggle in singles competition, falling to world No. 979 Eva Marie Desvignes of Singapore, 6-0, 6-1.
With the tie hanging in the balance, Milliam and Rivera once again delivered in doubles, defeating the young Singaporean pair of Tan and Desvignes, 6-4, 6-3, to clinch the victory for the Philippines.
The Philippines must finish in the top two of Bracket B to advance to the crossover semifinals against the top two teams from Bracket A.
The Filipinas still have two matches remaining against No. 59 Kyrgyzstan and No. 64 Pacific Oceania.
The winners of the crossover semifinals will earn promotion to Asia/Oceania Group I.
The last time the Philippines competed in Group I was in 2017, with a squad composed of Filipina-German Katharina Lehnert, Anna Clarice Patrimonio, and Khim Iglupas.
