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Published on February 3, 2008

Uzbekistan successfully made it through to the Fed Cup World Group II play-offs following a see-saw 2-1 win over New Zealand in the Zone Asia/Oceania Group I play-off yesterday at the National Tennis Development Centre.

Fiercely tested by the Kiwis until the last point, the superb duo of Iroda Tulyaganova and Akgul Amanmuradova fought off a championship point

to win the crucial doubles after the two nations split the singles  1-1.

Tulyaganova, who plans to release a tennis outfit line at home, proved more mentally solid in the first singles where she reeled off the last five games to hold off Sacha Jones 4-6 6-1 6-2.

World No 149 Marina Erakovic drew level for New Zealand after she saved a set point to upset the 97th-ranked Akgul Amanmuradova 6-4 7-6 (7/3).

Tulyaganova and Amanmuradova later fought with their backs against the wall, saving a match point at

5-6 in the tie-break to narrowly scrape home against Leanne Baker and Erakovic 4-6 6-2 7-6 (9-7).

"We are happy. We are champions and we are going to play in the World Group II play-off," Captain Samuk Abidov said.

"We are confident we will maintain our place there and beat everyone. We will not come back to play this group," said Tulyaganova, a former world top-20 player.

On a day plagued with injuries, Taiwan took third place thanks to a walkover against Australia, who retired from the tie.

Thailand had to settle for sixth after losing to Indonesia 2-1 in the fifth-sixth place classification match.

Suchanan Viratprasert recovered from 5-2 down to beat Vivien Silfany as the

latter retired with an injury after losing the first set 7-6

(7-5).

Indonesia levelled the tie as Nudnida Luangnam had to retire with a foot injury after she handed the first set to Lavinia Tananta 4-6.

Thailand then forfeited

in the doubles as Tamarine Tanasugarn - who was supposed to team up with Napaporn Tongsalee - withdrew due to an injury.

"I was a bit erratic at the beginning. But after 2-5, I found my momentum and fought my way back into the match,'' said Suchanan,

who rushed off to Pattaya as she has to enter the WTA Pattaya Open qualifying competition today.

In the fight to avoid relegation to group II, India

beat Hong Kong 2-1 to secure a spot in Group I next year. Hong Kong will drop down to Group II.

South Korea beat Kazakhstan 2-0 in the Group II play-off, which won them  promotion to Group I next year.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation

Nonthaburi