Published on Apr 24, 2006
Courtesy : Bangkok Post
By Wanchai Rujawongsanti  

Czech power past hosts for a 4 - 1 win

The Czech Republic proved too strong for Thailand whitewashing the hosts 3-0 on the final day of their Fed Cup World Group II tie for a 4-1 win yesterday.

But the Thais did not lose without a fight and could have pulled off an upset. Suchanan Viratprasert and Montinee Tangphong were impressive before bowing out against their respective opponents Nicole Vaidisova and Klara Koukalova in the reverse singles.

World number 15 Vaidisova beat Thailand's number one Suchanan 3-6, 6-2, 6-0, and world number 33 Koukalova defeated Montinee 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).

In the doubles, which were rendered meaningless by earlier results, Napaporn Tongsalee and Nudnida Luangnam lost to Iveta Benesova and Barbora Strycova 6-2, 6-3.

The Czechs advance to the World Group I play-offs, while Thailand have to compete in another play-off to stay in their group.

World number 192 Suchanan gave Vaidisova a scare when the Thai broke her twice in the fifth and ninth games for a 6-4 win in the opening set.

In the second set, Suchanan took a 2-1 lead but unfortunately that was the last time she won a game in this match. Vaidisova claimed five straight games and won 6-2.

In the deciding set, the Thai totally ran out of steam as Vaidisova, who beat Suchanan on her way to win the Thailand Open last year, cruised to an easy 6-0 victory.

Suchanan said she was exhausted in the latter stages and looked at the defeat as a good lesson. "I felt exhausted in the second set. The match made me know my weak point. I have to stay fit to last the distance," said Suchanan.

Vaidisova, who celebrated her 17th birthday yesterday, said she could not find her rhythm in the first set and that she played better once Suchanan got tired.

Koukalova, who replaced Benesova who lost to Suchanan on Saturday, had few problems against Montinee in the first set with the Czech winning 6-2.

The Thai fought back well and raced to a 4-1 lead in the second set. But Koukalova regrouped to beat the Thai in a tie-break.

Montinee said she was playing well until the final stretch as Koukalova was more effective in crucial points.

Koukalova was diplomatic saying she had thought this team would comfortably defeat Thailand but it turned out that they were a strong side.