Billie Jean King Cup: Hsieh Su-wei and Liang En-shuo dominate Malaysia

Taiwanese tennis star Hsieh Su-wei made a triumphant return to the Billie Jean King Cup, partnering with Liang En-shuo to secure a commanding doubles victory against Malaysia. The Taiwanese team ultimately swept the tie 3-0.

Hsieh, a nine-time Grand Slam champion, teamed up with Liang En-shuo for the third rubber, which was inconsequential to the overall match outcome. They displayed overwhelming dominance, winning nine consecutive games to take the first set 6-0. They closed out the match 6-0, 6-1 in just 45 minutes against Malaysia's 20-year-old Lim Shi Xuan and 15-year-old Daania Daniella Hazli.

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It's a great learning opportunity to work closely with a Grand Slam champion. I learned a lot from her.

This marked Hsieh's first Billie Jean King Cup win in three years. Her last appearance in 2024 saw her and Yang Ya-yi lose to South Korea. In 2023, she partnered with Lu Man-lin to defeat Singapore. For Liang En-shuo, partnering with a Grand Slam champion was a valuable learning experience. "It's a great learning opportunity to work closely with a Grand Slam champion. I learned a lot from her," Liang said.

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Hsieh is the strongest opponent I've ever met. My partner and I thought beforehand, 'We absolutely cannot lose 6-0 twice.' Thankfully, we managed to score a point in the second set when we were down 0-3.

Lim Shi Xuan, competing in her third Billie Jean King Cup, described Hsieh as the toughest opponent she has ever encountered. "Hsieh is the strongest opponent I've ever met," Lim stated. "My partner and I thought beforehand, 'We absolutely cannot lose 6-0 twice.' Thankfully, we managed to score a point in the second set when we were down 0-3." Lim, the only pure ethnic Chinese among Malaysia's four representatives, praised Hsieh's all-around game, noting her accurate shot placement, minimal errors, and fast-paced rallies that left her and her partner with little time to react or find breathing room.

Taiwanese coach Hsiao Cheng-yu highlighted Hsieh's agile net play and strategic changes. In singles, newcomer Wan Yi-chen defeated 15-year-old Hazli 6-4, 6-0. Yang Ya-yi, ranked 528 by WTA, secured a swift 6-1, 6-1 victory over Elsa Wan, who is ranked 1449.

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All her skills are strengths, including accurate shot placement, almost no errors, and very fast rallies. My partner and I not only had no time to react but also couldn't find much breathing room.