The New Zealand Fed Cup tennis team won their final round-robin tie at the Asia/Oceania Group II tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan, overnight (NZT) but their chances of winning promotion to Group I have ended.
New Zealand beat Singapore 3-0 without dropping a set but they finished second in their pool and will now play the Philippines, who were second in the other pool, in a third and fourth playoff.
New Zealand's chances of winning promotion were virtually over when No 1 Marina Erakovic fell in the tournament hotel and dislocated her thumb on the eve of the side's 2-1 defeat to Hong Kong, New Zealand's only defeat in the round-robin. The world No 74 has returned to New Zealand for treatment.
Abigail Guthrie beat Khee Yen Wee 6-0 6-1 in her singles yesterday and Emily Fanning went even better in beating Rheeya Doshi 6-0 6-0. Emma Hayman and Guthrie then beat Geraldine Ang and Rehmat Johal 6-0 6-1 om the doubles.
Results from the Asia/Oceania Group II Federation Cup tie between New Zealand and Singapore in Astana, Kazakhstan, yesterday (NZT):
Abigail Guthrie (NZL) bt Khee Yen Wee (SIN) 6-0 6-1, Emily Fanning (NZL) bt RheeyanDoshi (SIN) 6-0 6-0, Emma Hayman/Abigail Guthrie (NZL) bt Geraldine Ang/Rehmat Johal (SIN) 6-0 6-1.
