Published on July 08, 2005
Courtesy : The Nation
By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

Thailand lock horns with Slovakia for an elite berth. A win over the Slovak Republic will secure Thailand’s status in World Group II next year as the two nations battle it out in the play-off tie at Bangkok University’s Rangsit Campus this weekend.Both countries fell foul in the first round in April where they narrowly lost to their opponents. Thailand had a close fight with Croatia in Phuket before losing 2-3 while Slovakia went down to Switzerland in Neuchatel (Switzerland) by the same margin.

As hosts with better ranked players, Thailand has a marginal advantage against Slovakia who are fielding a second class team of No 152 Lubomira Kurhajcova, No 165 Henrieta Nagyova with Magdalena Rybarikova 584 and Dominika Cibulkova 829.

Tamarine Tanasugarn, the highest ranked player at No 82, spearheads the local squad which includes the 243rd ranked Suchanan Viratprasert, Napaporn Tongsalee, No 288, and Monthinee Tangphong, No 290.

It will be the first time the two countries have met in the Fed Cup. The winning team will remain in Group II next year while the losing team will be relegated to the regional qualifying group.

The tie will open on Saturday with Suchanan against Nagyova, followed by the clash between Tamarine and Kurhajcova. Tamarine and Nagyova square off first on Sunday, then Suchanan and Kurhajcova will meet. The tie will end with the doubles between Napaporn and Monthinee against Nagyova and Kurhajcova. Channel 11 and UBC SuperSport Action will televise the event from 11am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.

Suchanan has a solid record in the Cup over the past two years, losing only one out of seven matches. That only defeat came earlier this year where she was narrowly edged out by Croatian Jelena Kostanic 5-7 6-4 3-6.

The country’s No 2 player always manages to lift her game and cause upsets whenever her team needs it. She gunned down two top opponents Nicole Pratt of Australia and Sandra Mamic of Croatia in the two previous ties.

“I will try not to put myself under pressure like in the past so that I can come up with good tennis,” said Suchanan who was given tips from Tamarine on how to handle the experienced Nagyova.

Tamarine carries a 3-3 head-to-head record with Nagyova but trails Kurhajcova 0-1. She is expected to settle this score this weekend.

“She has a huge serve and groundstrokes. I have to play with consistency, attack her first and move her as much as possible,” said Tamarine who resumed practice only two days ago because of a knee injury.

Thailand captain Vittaya Samrej had watched the Slovaks and sensed a tough job lay ahead.

“They are strong physically and have a lot of experience. But I have faith in my player’s abilities. We have a pretty good chance of winning not only because they didn’t send top players but also we are playing at home, which is a big advantage,” he said.

Slovakia may not have sent ace players like Daniela Hantuchova or Martina Sucha, but they picked players who can cope well with the tropical heat. Nagyova beat Kurhajcova in the WTA event in Pattaya two years years ago. Three of Nagyova’s nine WTA trophies stemmed from regional tournaments. Apart from the 2003 title in Pattaya, she also won another tournament in the beach resort in 2003 and was a champion in Kuala Lumpur in 2000.

“I’m glad to come back here again after having an injury and not playing in Pattaya this year. I always play well in Thailand and hope to do it in Fed Cup,” Nagyova said.

Team captain Marian Vadja said Hantuchova and Sucha preferred to concentrate on their professional tournaments and had to skip the tie.

“It will be a little bit more difficult for us not having them. However, I’m confident in the current team – the players are good athletes and use to practise in Pattaya before, so they are used to the weather,” she said.

“I beat Tammy before and I’m glad I will play her again,” said Kurhajcova.