PETALING JAYA: Former national tennis player and coach Abdul Hazli Zainuddin is putting things on the line in the hope of guiding her daughter Daania Daniella Abdul Hazli to come up in the sport.

Abdul Hazli believes that constant exposure to the highly competitive junior circuit overseas, especially in Europe, is the way to improve.

Just like his son Imran Daniel Abdul Hazli, who enjoyed a career high 91st position in the world junior rankings and is now studying in the United States, Daania is making a name for herself.

Daania, who turned 15 yesterday, has been making solid progress on clay in Egypt and Europe recently.

Daania spent three weeks in Egypt in late April and early May where she reached the singles quarter-finals and doubles semi-finals, with Egyptian partner Jana Youssef, in Dakahlia.

She also reached the doubles quarter-finals, with Malak Ismeil, in another competition in Cairo.

Daania helped Malaysia to a ninth place finish in the Under-16 Billie Jean King Cup final qualifiers in Kazakhstan late last month. The national squad defeated Indonesia, Uzbekistan and the Philippines in the competition.

Daania then reached the singles semi-finals at Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, but her highlight so far this year was winning the South Bavarian Championships in Germany recently, saving multiple match points in the under-18 final against German Tamara Ritzinger whom she beat 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-4), 10-4.

Hazli, who has left behind his family coaching business in the hands of his wife Alessandra Sarritzu back home while he follows Daania on tour, was happy with the results so far.

“She has not had much international exposure, so to be able to reach the quarter-finals and semi-finals were good results for Daania.

“She showed great determination to do well on the clay surface in the South Bavarian Championship.

“Our goal is to keep giving Daania the exposure she needs and give her the chance to earn more ranking points,” said Hazli, who is forking out his own money to cover their stay in Europe.

“80 per cent of Daania’s expenses are covered by the family business back home. This is not just Daania’s journey, it is a family mission.

“With the right financial, technical and emotional support, Daania can become a world-class player.

“We can do with more financial support from sponsors,” he added.