HCM CITY (VNS) — Viet Nam are leading 1-0 over Sri Lanka after the first day of the Davis Cup play-off in Da Lat City.

Viet Nam's No 2 seed Do Minh Quan defeated Thangajah Dineshkanthan 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the first men's singles match.

Dineshkanthan was a substitute for his teammate Sharmal Dissnayake, who could not compete because of a back injury.

"I played Dineshkanthan in the past, so I knew his skills and weaknesses. I was nervous at the start of the first set but quickly recovered and dominated the match. Although I performed at only 80 per cent today, I am satisfied with the result," said Quan.

Coach Michael Baroch of Viet Nam said Quan had a good match and his victory encouraged his teammates competing in later games.

The second singles match between the hosts' No 1 Nguyen Hoang Thien and Sri Lanka's No 2 Harshana Godamana was delayed when Thien won 6-2 in the first set because of heavy rain. The match will resume this morning. — VNS