Thailand lose nail-biting tie to India in Fed Cup
Thailand lost their second straight tie in the Fed Cup Zonal Qualifiers following a tough 1-2 defeat to India in their Pool A tie in Astana on Thursday.
After a 0-3 defeat to host Kazakhstan in the first tie, Thailand went onto the court in hope to salvage their pride. THey got off to a great start when Nudnida Luangnam upset the 211st-ranked Thandi Karman Kaur 211 6-2 3-6 6-3 in two hours
But India struck back when the 165th-ranked Anika Raina beat Peangtarn Plipuech 165 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 6-4 to level the tie at one all.
In the decisive doubles, Nudnida and Peangtarn were serving for the match against Kaur and Raina at 5-4 but the latters broke back and went on to win 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 7-5 in the gruelling showdown that last over two hours and 40 minutes.
Thailand has already completed their pool competition and landed at bottom third. On Saturday they will play a third placed nation from pool B to avoid relegation to group II next year.
