IN BRIEF
Thai juniors suffer first loss
Thailand's junior Fed Cup team suffered their first defeat yesterday after going down to third-seeded China 2-1 in the rain-delayed Asia/Oceania Qualifying tie at the Tennis Academy of Asia in Bangkok.
Tropical rain interrupted play for several hours before China won the first point when Zhou Yi-miao ousted Nicha Lertpitaksinchai 6-4 6-2 in the final preliminary round of Group 3. But top local junior Noppawan Lertcheewakarn, ranked No 58 in the juniors by the ITF, toppled Guo Xuan-yu 6-1 6-0 in the second rubber to keep Thai hopes alive at 1-1. Zhou and Ni Zhou teamed up in the decisive doubles and sealed victory after beating Nicha and Satjaporn Mahajaroenkul 6-0 2-6 6-2. Despite the loss, Thailand still joins China in the eight-team knockout stage from which the four winners will compete in September's World Group in Barcelona. - The Nation.
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