National tennis team head for tough Davis Cup playoffs

The draw has Vietnam (66th in world rankings) facing Dominican Republic (48th), seeded second in the play-offs. The Dominican Republic will also enjoy a home-ground advantage.

The Dominican Republic has two players in the world’s top 400: Roberto Cid Subervi (296th) and Nick Hardt (350th). These two are excellent at both singles and doubles, so it will be difficult for Vietnam to create a surprise.

However, Vietnam will place its hopes on their number one player, Ly Hoang Nam, who has just rose to 638th in world rankings, after winning three recent international titles in Egypt and Mexico. For the doubles, Nam and veteran player Le Quoc Khanh are both capable team players.

Playing a strong opponent like the Dominican Republic will afford Nam and his teammates a chance to accumulate more experience. The playoffs will take place on March 4 and 5 next year.

The winner of the play-offs will get to play in Davis Cup World Group II that will take place in September 2022, while the loser will return to play in Davis Cup Group III in their region.

In September, Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the playoffs of Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group III and qualified for the World Group II playoffs.