Courtesy : Lerpong Amsa-Ngiam (The Nation)
Published on Jul 12, 2004

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Tammy seals Thailand’s place in World Group

The Thai Fed Cup team yesterday penned a new chapter in Thai tennis history by qualifying for the World Group for the first time in 26 years following a surprise 3-2 win over Australia at Muang Thong Thani.

After helping to stun the visitors 2-0 in the two singles matches on Saturday, Thai heroine Tamarine Tanasugarn rallied from a set down to beat a determined Nicole Pratt 1-6 6-4 6-1 to propel the Kingdom to victory.

The defeat means Australia, in their worst Cup year ever, will be relegated to the qualifying zone next year for the first time in 42 years.

But it also means a Thai team being elevated to the elite group for the first time. The men's Davis Cup squad failed in their previous two attempts, losing to England 2-3 in 2002 and to the Czech Republic 1-4 last year in the play-off stage. The Fed Cup team, who beat India 2-0 in the regional qualifying in April, succeeded in their first attempt.

"Wow. I'm very excited and happy to have helped my team reach the World Group for the first time in history," and ecstatic Tamarine said.

"This is my day. I have to thank my team who worked very hard together and the fans for their support," said the top-ranked Thai who was under a lot of pressure yesterday.

"It's a lot of pressure playing at home as everybody expects a lot from me. We were 2-0 up and I didn't want Australia to come back into the tie. I was in shock as Pratt played her best tennis against me in the first set."

After staving off three break points to draw at 1-1 in the second set, the momentum began to swing her way. The two traded breaks until world No 41 Pratt served a double fault to put Tamarine ahead 5-4. The Thai unleashed a backhand winner to take the second set 6-4 and send the 2,500 fans at the SAT Stadium into hysterics.

In the third set it was one way traffic. Tamarine dominated with superior ground strokes and never gave Pratt a chance to challenge.

"I was playing great until 1-0 in the second set," the Australian said. "Tammy stepped up her game and got more confident. I didn't serve well like in the first set and gave her the chance."

Pratt said Australia did not underestimate their hosts but should have done more homework on Suchanan Viratprasert.

"We knew Tammy would be tough but we could have had more information about the Thai No 2. We should have been up 2-0 or at least tied at 1-1 coming to Sunday," said Pratt whose upset loss to Suchanan on Saturday caused huge damage to her team. She said the presence of Aussie No 1 Alicia Molik would have made a huge difference.

Though Australia struck back to win the last two matches, it did not affect the result. Samantha Stosur, playing Napaporn Tongsalee after Suchanan withdrew with a wrist injury, fought back from a lapse in the first set to win 4-6 6-0 6-0. In the doubles, Lisa Mcshea and Christina Wheeler beat Napaporn and Montinee Tangphong 4-6 6-3 5-7.

Eight winning teams from the play-offs will form a newly created World Group II in 2005. The draw will be made in November. The eight teams will play each other in April next year and four winners will play four losers from World Group I in July.

A total of Bt900,000 incentive money was awarded to the Thai team, Bt800,000 from the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand president Suwat Liptapanlop and another Bt100,000 from UBC.

"This is a golden year for Thai tennis. Our Davis Cup team reached the Play-offs for the third year while our Fed Cup team reached the World Group," said Suwat who is trying to invite reigning Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova of Russia to play an exhibition match against Tamarine in December.