Published
on Published on May 5, 2004
Courtesy
: Lerpong Amsa-ngiam
The Nation
Aussie
Fed Cup team to play in Thailand
[TENNIS] Thailand will host its first World Group Fed Cup
Playoffs in the tie against powerful rivals Australia which
is scheduled between July 10 - 11 in Bangkok.
After
the draw yesterday in London, Thailand was handed a heavy
task against Australia which features world No 39 Alicia
Molik and No 47 Nicole Pratt, plus doubles world No 11 Rennae
Stubbs.
Thai
ace Tamarine Tanasugarn conceded the Australian team would
be a tough nut to crack but support from fans could boost
the underdog host country to stage an upset.
“It’s
a very tough draw. Molik and Pratt are good singles players
and at the same time have high experience in the doubles,’’
said Tamarine who spearheaded Thailand to a 20 win over
India two weeks ago to earn a spot in the World Group Playoffs
for the first time. Australia was trounced by Russia in
the World Group first round.
“But
anything can happen in the Fed Cup. So we still have a chance
especially if we are inspired by the fans to turn the situation
around,’’ added Tamarine, the world No 56.
In
Tamarine’s opinion, Thailand’s best chance of an upset over
the ladies from Down Under is to go for broke in the singles
to avoid a decisive doubles match.
“Obviously
we have no chance against them in the doubles because they
have better doubles players while most of ours are still
young. I will try to win my two singles rubbers and hopefully
Suchanan [Viratprasert] will get one point from her matches,’’
said Tamarine.
Thailand
will use the same team members – Tamarine, Suchanan, who
reached a career high of 193 this week, Napaporn Tongsalee
and Monthinee Tangphong, with former national player Vittaya
Samrej as the team captain.
Thailand
has never hosted a Fed Cup World Group Playoff round, but
held the regional qualifying many times, the last being
in 1998. It will be the first time Thai fans have the chance
to see a world women’s team in action. The only other World
Group Playoffs tie hosted in Thailand was the Davis Cup
between Thailand and the Czech Republic last September.
The
playoff winner will be promoted to the World Group next
year with the losing teams being relegated to the qualifying
zone tie.
|
