The Thai team arrived home yesterday facing relegation to the regional qualifying level next year, but believe they could regain a slot in the elite group providing that all the top players take part.

"If we have an A squad, we could get back to the World Group again. Our girls already put a maximum effort into this tie, but admittedly Slovakia was too tough for us," said team captain Vittaya Samrej.

The Thai team suffered a big blow before the tie with the withdrawals of leading players Tamarine Tanasugarn and Napaporn Tongsalee. Suchanan Viratprasert and Montinee Tangphong were the next two best players available and the team also needed the assistance of two inexperienced players, Nudnida Luannam and Thassha Vittayaviroj.

"I had expected to win two points going into the tie, but the Slovak team did not give us any chances. Even though we didn't win a rubber, most of the matches were quite close. Our players just didn't capitalise on their opportunities at the crucial stages," added Vittaya, a former Davis Cup player.

Thai No 2 Suchanan, who normally plays her best tennis when representing her country, was not in good form. She said the added pressure hampered her from being at the top of her game.

"I was expecting too much of myself because I wanted us to win. I did not play my best tennis, but I have to give credit to the Slovak players for their good job," said Suchanan.

World No 17 Daniela Hantuchova won the points for her team with a 6-1 6-3 win over Suchanan and pushed the home team to a 3-0 lead. But the demolition was not all over for Thailand.

In the meaningless rubbers, Dominika Cibulkova beat Montinee Tangphong 6-3 6-1, and then Janette Husarova and Magdalena Rybarikova beat Nudnida Luangnam and Thassha Vitayaviroj 6-2 6-3 in the doubles.

With the Slovak team retaining their status at the Group II level, Thailand drops to the zone Asia/Oceania qualifying group I level next year. 

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation