Kuching, Malaysia , 10 April 2013 | Tennis Australia

The Australian boys’ team of Alexei Popyrin (NSW), Alex de Minaur (NSW) and Kody Pearson (NSW) has begun strongly in its campaign to qualify for the 14-and-under World Junior Tennis finals at this week’s Asia/Oceania qualifying event in Malaysia.

Australia, the fourth seed at the event, has already defeated Uzbekistan (3-0) and Singapore (3-0) in the round robin stage, and will face Chinese Taipei on Wednesday to determine its final standing in Group D.

“I have been really happy with the way the team has prepared for this week, and personally I’m really happy with my game and the way I have attacked and finished at the net,” de Minaur said.

Pearson and Popyrin, the latter currently residing in Spain, echoed de Minaur’s sentiments.

“I have really enjoyed playing doubles with the boys. I’ve served, volleyed and returned extremely well and I’m looking forward to good result this week,” Pearson said.

Added Popyrin: “I’m really happy with my serve this week and the way I’ve been finishing the point with my groundstrokes and net play, and I’m looking forward to playing Chinese Taipei.”

Sixteen nations from the Asia/Oceania region are vying for a berth into the prestigious World Junior Tennis finals, which will be held in Prostejov, Czech Republic on 5-10 August 2013.

The top two nations of each qualifying group (A, B, C and D) in Malaysia will play-off for first to eighth place, with the top four nations qualifying for the finals.