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Published on February 2, 2008

New Zealand beat Indonesia 3-0 to grab the top spot of Pool A with a better set win-loss record over Australia.  Uzbekistan beat Hong Kong

2-1 to stay unbeaten in Pool B.

The Kiwis got off to a great start when Sacha Jones beat Ayu Fani Damayanti 6-4 7-5 before rising star Marina Erakovic led her team to triumph with a 6-3 6-1 win over Sandy Gumulya. Erakovic and Leanne Baker later teamed up to beat Lavinia Tananta and Vivien Silfany 6-2 6-0.

"We are a strong team. We were disappointed losing to Australia on the first day but took our opportunities the next two days. We expect to win tomorrow," said New Zealand captain David Lewis.

Uzbekistan split the singles with Hong Kong when Uzbek teenager Albina Khabibulina thwarted Po Kuen Lam 6-0

6-2 before Ling Zhang drew level for Hong Kong by defeating Vlada Ekshbarova 6-3 6-4. But Akgul Amanmuradova and Iroda Tulyaganova proved too much for Po and Ling as they easily won the doubles 6-2 6-0.

The East European nation will now bid to earn a place in the World Group II play-offs for the first time, but they have to clear their last hurdle, New Zealand, who they beat 2-1 two years ago in South Korea.

Hosts Thailand finished the round-robin competition with one win and two defeats after losing to Taiwan 3-0 in Pool B yesterday. But they successfully retained their place in Group I for next year.

Despite a back injury, Hsieh Su-wei gritted her teeth to beat Nudnida Luangnam 6-4 2-6 6-2. Chan Yung-jan prevailed over Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-4 2-6 6-1. Chan and Chuang Chia-jung then beat Napaporn Tongsalee and Suchanan Viratprasert 6-3 6-0.

"I was up 4-2 in the first set but wasn't aggressive enough,'' Tamarine said.

Thailand will play Indonesia for the fifth and sixth place while Australia meet Taiwan in the third-place match.

In another Pool A final preliminary round tie, Australia blanked India 3-0. India and Hong Kong finished bottom of their respective pools and will fight to remain in Group I next year. In Group II action, Kazakhstan and South Korea will fight it out today for a slot in Group I next year.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

 The Nation

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