UAE in pole position for Davis Cup promotion

Dubai: The UAE put itself in pole position for a possible promotion for next season with a third successive 3-0 win in their Asia/Oceania Group IV Davis Cup encounter in Amman yesterday.

After two consecutive 3-0 wins against Yemen and Turkmenistan, the UAE blanked neighbours Bahrain to keep alive their quest to top Group A ahead of strong contenders Myanmar.

At the Al Hussain Tennis Centre in Amman, the UAE were off to a great start with Mahmoud Nader Al Beloushi powering his way to a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Bahrain's Khalid Hussain Ali Al Thawadi in one hour and 17 minutes.

Hamad Abbas Al Janahi then put the issue beyond doubt with a 6-1, 6-0 cakewalk against Yousuf Ahmad Abdullah Qaed, while Rashid Bushaqar and Hamad Abbas Al Janahi teamed up to take the doubles too with a 6-1, 6-1 result against Sayed Mohammad Al Mousawi and Yousuf Ahmad Abdullah Qaed.

The result puts the UAE at the top of Group A as they prepare to face Myanmar in a crucial encounter later today.

Top of the group

A win will see the UAE end at the top of the group and earn the right to meet Jordan, the runners-up from Group B.

According to the format, the top two teams from both group will advance to Saturday's semi-finals, with the winners of this knock-out stage qualifying to Group III for next season.