IN BRIEF
Aussies rock Thai juniors
Top seeds Australia yesterday shattered Thailand's hopes of playing in the World Group with a 2-1 victory in the play-off stage of the Fed Cup Zone Asia/Oceania tie at the Tennis Academy of Asia in Bangkok.
Nicha Lertpitaksinchai put Thailand ahead when she defeated junior world No 72 Tyra Calderwood 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5). But the girls from Down Under fought back in the second singles when Jessica Moore, No 47 in the world, routed Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 6-4 6-3 to force the decisive doubles rubber. Calderwood and Derwood teamed up to seal the victory, overcoming a mid-match lapse to beat Nicha and Noppawan 6-3 2-6 6-2. Australia will play in the World Group competition in Barcelona this September. The other three teams earning slots in the elite group are Hong Kong, Japan and China. Hong Kong yesterday stunned Uzbekistan 2-1, Japan edged Indonesia 2-1, and China pipped South Korea 2-1.
Manus deal Athens Olympic gold medallist Manus Boonjamnong on Wednesday signed a personal contract with Federal Express (FedEx) to endorse its products for the next three years. Under the agreement, the Thai will get US$90,000 (around Bt3.4 million) sponsorship fee from 2006-2009 that will be paid in three instalments. If Manus fails to make the national squad for the 2008 Olympics, 30 per cent of the principal will be deducted and if he reneges on any terms of his contract, he must pay US$1 million in compensation.
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