Hong Kong Davis Cup captain Yu Hiu-tung said his side were not under “any pressure at all” and hoped to ride a wave of support against Uzbekistan when their World Group II tie gets under way at Victoria Park on Saturday.

His Uzbek counterpart, Denis Istomin, on his part said his team were ready to fight after coming early to prepare for what he said would be tough conditions.

The winner of the tie, which will be played over two days in front of what is expected to be a capacity crowd at the Causeway Bay venue, will secure their spot in the 2026 World Group I Play-offs.

Hong Kong have not competed in World Group I, the second-highest level of the Davis Cup, since 1991.

“Of course, we have an opportunity, because since Coleman [Wong Chak-lam] had good results in the US Open, there’s a lot of confidence,” Hong Kong captain Yu said.

“All our players are pretty excited, so I don’t think they have any pressure at all. They love the crowd, and hopefully the crowd will help us behind our backs as well.”