Indonesia and China bounce back in Fed Cup
Indonesia and China bounce back in Fed Cup
Agence France-Presse, Tokyo
Second seed Indonesia and third seed China bounced back from defeat to record crucial victories in the Fed Cup tennis Asia- Oceania zone preliminary round here Thursday.
Top seed Japan had a rest day after beating China Wednesday to secure top spot in Pool A, while fourth seed Thailand, the winner over Indonesia, defeated Kazakhstan 3-0 without its ace Tamarine Tanasugarn.
Indonesia needed two three-setters in the singles against Uzbekistan with Wynne Adiati Prakusya beating Ivanna Isroilova 4- 6, 6-1, 6-3 and Angelique "Angie" Widjaja beating Iroda Tulyaganova 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Wynne, who teamed up with Angie then defeated Akgul Amanmuradova and Isroilova 6-2, 6-1.
The Chinese were easy winners over New Zealand as Sun Tiantian whipped Ilke Gers 6-1, 6-2, and Jie Zheng outclassed Shelley Stephens 6-3, 6-4 in the six-team Pool B competition.
"I think I was a little bit better than her (Isroilova) today," said Prakusya. "She was a finalist at the Asian championships last year, so she is one of the good juniors coming up from Asia. I think she can be a good player."
Prakusya, who was disconsolate after her shock defeat to Thai number two Suchanan Viratprasert Wednesay, said she had already put that loss behind her.
"It was one of those days when the match was not on my side. It was my bad day. I just forgot it. I guess we're gonna fight against Japan (in playoff)," said Prakusya, who will turn 22 on the final day Saturday.
The top teams in Pool A and B will play the runners-up of the opposing groups in Saturday's playoffs, and the two winners of the ties will advance to the playoffs for the World Group to be played in July.
Tamarine, the winner over former Wimbledon junior champions Angie and Tulyaganova this week, comfortably watched Napaporn Tongsalee beat Marina Shpak 6-2, 6-3, and Suchanan beat Karina Jarlkaganova 6-2, 6-0.
She said she would prepare for matches in the next two days.
"It's gonna be a very tough against Chinese Taipei tomorrow (Friday)... maybe it's tough, but we cannot underestimate them. China (likely team against Thailand in playoff) is also a very tough team, so I'm going to prepare for the last two days," said Tamarine.
On Friday, Japan will play Hong Kong, while China and South Korea will fight each other for a place in the playoff. Indonesia will take on Malaysia.