The remaining two rubbers are academic as Slovakia has already secured a spot at the 2007 Group II level following two wins on Saturday and a third yesterday.

World No 17 Daniela Hantuchova propelled the hosts by beating Suchanan Viratprasert 6-1 6-3 in the No 1 versus No 1 rubber. That came after Saturday's programme in which Hantuchova outclassed Montinee Tangphong 6-1 6-1 and Magdalena Rybarikova upset Suchanan 6-3 6-3.

In the meaningless matches, due to finish late last night, Montinee was originally scheduled to play Rybarikova in the reverse singles and Nudnida Luangnam and Thassha Vitayaviroj were to meet Hantuchova and Janette Husarova in the doubles.

But the names were subject to change 15 minutes before each rubber.

Thailand's lacklustre results were due to the withdrawal of two key players - Tamarine Tanasugarn and Napaporn Tongsalee. Both were committed to play in challenger events.

It was sweet revenge for the European side who lost to Thailand 4-1 in Bangkok last year, which put them into the qualifying zone.

Thailand will have to play the qualifying rounds in 2007 after retaining their status in the elite group II for two years.

Japan, China through

nJapan and China secured berths in next year's top-tier Fed Cup World Group yesterday after dominating their European opponents.

Aiko Nakamura and Akiko Morigami won their reverse singles matches in straight sets at Tokyo' Ariake Colosseum and Shinobu Asagoe and Ai Sugiyama combined for a doubles win to give Japan a 5-0 sweep of Austria.

China's Li Na ground out a 7-5 7-5 win over Kathrin Woerle of Germany at Beijing International Tennis Centre to give her team an unassailable 3-1 lead and Yan Zi and Zheng Jie made it 4-1 after the doubles.

Germany and Austria now drop to World Group II for the 2006 competition.

Nakamura downed Barbara Schwartz 6-2 7-5 and Morigami rolled over Nikola Hofmanova 6-2 6-3 to continue the dominant form that gave Japan a commanding 2-0 lead after the opening singles.

Li weathered Woerle's powerful serves to claim her match and give China a winning 3-0 lead.

Tatiana Malek then overcame an unsteady start to beat Sun Tiantian 4-6 6-3 6-3 for Germany, which entered the play-off with a 2-0 record against China.

"Playing on the home soil is much better than in other countries," Li was quoted as saying on the official Fed Cup web site. "I felt there are so many supporters behind me."

In the doubles matches, Yan and Zheng took a convincing 6-3 6-4 win over Germany's Kristina Barrios and Jasmin Woehr to close out the play-off.

Asagoe and Sugiyama rallied after dropping the second set to beat Melanie Klaffner and Schwartz 6-3 1-6 6-1 and complete the whitewash.

Li cruised past Barrios 6-3 6-4 and Jie beat Woerle 6-4 7-5 in the opening singles on Saturday to set up China's win.

Morigami defeated Schwartz 7-6 (3) 6-0 on Saturday, while Sugiyama downed Melanie Klaffner 7-5 6-1.