Courtesy : Bangkok Post
TOR CHITTINAND
Published on April 22, 2005

Tamarine to take on Mamic in first singles

Phuket _ Tamarine Tanasugarn will launch Thailand's bid against Croatia in the Fed Cup tomorrow when she takes on Sanda Mamic at Patong beach.

In the second singles Thailand number two, Suchanan Viratprasert will play Jelena Kostanic.

The draw was made at Kata Beach Resort yesterday by tournament referee Wayne Mckenwen.

Tamarine, currently ranked 68th in the world, said she would do her best to give Thailand a good start against her 96th-ranked opponent.

''I have never played her before,'' said Tamarine. ''I watched the Croatian team in training and they are quite strong. We are the underdogs but we have a chance of beating them.''

Tamarine admitted she was suffering from the heat in Phuket.

''Stamina could play a crucial role,'' she said.

Suchanan also has never played 49th-ranked Kostanic.

''She is a lefty which makes things a bit more difficult, but I will do my best'' said Suchanan, who also complained about the heat.

Team captain Vittaya Sumrej said his team were looking forward to the contest.

''Even though they haven't got their top player, Karolina Sprem, they are a strong team,'' he said. ''They have a lot of international experience.''

Croatian team captain Goran Prpic said he believed his team could still win without Sprem.

''There's no great pressure on us. I think we will do well,'' he said.

In the doubles Thai Nos 3 and 4, Montinee Tangphong and Napaporn Tongsalee are scheduled to face Kostanic and Mamic.

Thailand won all five of their Fed Cup ties in 2004 qualifying for the World Group playoffs and then stunned Australia in Bangkok while Croatia won a playoff against Brazil.

The two countries have never met before.

The event will be shown live on UBC Supersport (35) and the first match begins at 11am tonorrow.

THE DRAW

Tomorrow

First singles: Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) v Sanda Mamic (CRO)

Second singles: Suchanun Viratprasert (THA) v Jelena Kostanic (CRO)

Sunday

Third singles: Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) v Jelena Kostanic (CRO)

Fourth singles: Suchanun Viratprasert (THA) v Sanda Mamic (CRO)

Doubles: Montinee Tangphong/Napaporn Tongsalee (THA) v Jelena Kostanic/Sanda Mamic (CRO)