FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Thailand Upset Uzbekistan to Stay Atop of Pool A

Thailand Upset Uzbekistan to Stay Atop of Pool A

Host Thailand soared to the top of Pool A following an impressive win over Uzbekistan 3-0after the second round robin competition of the Fed Cup Zone Asia/Oceania Qualifying Group I tie at the True Arena Hua Hin yesterday.

Thailand, a day after blanking India 3-0, was leading the pool with two straight wins from two ties and need to beat Japan today to book a spot in the Saturday’s play-off against a winner of Pool B.
 
 
 
The Kingdom on Thursday struck the first blood when teenager Bunyawi Thamchaiwat put up a gutsy fight to upend world No 217 Sabina Sharipova of Uzbekistan 7-5 3-6 6-3 in two hours and 26 minutes. Thai ace Luksika Kumkhum then overcame a second set lapse to beat Nagina Abduraimova 6-1 5-7 6-3 before the duo of  Kamonwan Buayam and Peangtarn Plipuech nailed the Uzbek coffin with a 7-5 7-5 win over  Abduraimova and Akgul Amanmuradova.
 
 
 
The 17-year-old Bunyawi, ranked No 629 , summoned her best tennis when she fell behind to stage the biggest upset in her career and remained a perfect 2-0 in all Fed Cup appearances.
 
 
 
“I could not breathe properly which could have something to do with the cold I started to catch on Wednesday. I could not hang tough in long rallies as I was not physically strong as I would have wanted to,” said the girl from Nakhon Ratchasima.
 
 
 
“After the toilet break before the third set, I saw that other players were fighting hard in other courts so I told myself I had to do so too. I tried to find my rhythm and hit the ball on the court. I’m so happy to win two rubbers for my country,” added Bunyawi who collapsed and lied in exhaustion on court after she Sharipova lost the final point.
 
 
 
Luksika, ranked No 149, was leading 6-1 and 4-2 but a barrage of unforced errors cost her the second set. The Thai No 1 regrouped her concentration to dominate the decisive set and the match which was clocked for two hours and two minutes.
 
“After 4-2, I let myself down while she changed up the pace and served better. In the final set I have to get to the ball early and cut off the unnecessary errors. I’m happy that we are now on the top of the pool,” said Luksika who was positive that Thailand would beat Japan to advance into the play-off.
 
 
 
“Although Japanese players are all tough and have better record against me, anything can happen in Fed. Uzbekistan upset Japan and we beat Uzbekistan today. You never know what’s going to happen,” Luksika said.
 
 
 
Captain Pracharapol Khamsaman again was impressed by the fighting spirit of young Bunyawi and was still confident his side should have the edge over Japan.
 
“Bunyawi proved again that she is the force to be reckoned with. Her surprise win helped our team to a good start. As for the last round robin against Japan, I still believe that our team can pull off an upset even though Japan is a tough team,” said Pracharapol.
 
In other Pool A result, Japan beat India 2-1. In Pool B, Taiwan upset top seed Kazakhstan 2-1 to stay atop of the group while China beat South Korea 2-1.
 
 
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