UZBEKISTAN, Singapore, Pacific Oceania and Indonesia secured number one spots yesterday in their respective pools in Group II of the 2018 Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Zone at Bahrain Tennis Federation (BTF) courts in Isa Town.

Uzbekistan defeated New Zealand 3-0 to take first place in Pool ‘A’, while Singapore edged the Philippine 2-1 to top Pool ‘B’.

Pacific Oceania beat Malaysia 3-0 to sweep Pool ‘C’ and Indonesia topped Pool ‘D’ with a 3-0 win over Sri Lanka.

Uzbekistan take on Indonesia and Singapore face Pacific Oceania to determine the two nations who advance to Asia/Oceania Zone Group I in 2019.

The Uzbeks got things underway yesterday with Nigina Abduraimova beating Jade Lewis 7-5, 6-3.

Sabina Sharipova then claimed a hard-earned 7-5, 6-1 win against Erin Routliffe, before Akgul Amanmuradova and Yasmine Karimjanova teamed up to beat Emily Fanning and Katherine Westbury 7-5, 6-1 to complete their second win in Pool ‘A’.

In Pool ‘B’, Singapore claimed the two singles rubbers before the Philippines took a win in the doubles.

Charmaine Shi Yi Seah pulled off a tough 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-1 victory over Anna Clarice Patrimonio.

Stefanie Tan then made it two for Singapore with a 6-2, 6-2 result over Katharina Lehnert. The Filipinos then got their consolation as Marian Jade Capadocia teamed up with Khim Iglupas for a 6-1, 6-1 win against Singapore’s Lynelle En Tong Lim and Tammy Tan.

Meanwhile, Pacific Oceania completed their clean sweep of Pool ‘C’ with their third straight 3-0 decision, this time against Malaysia. In rubber one, Steffi Carruthers was made to sweat in a tough 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5) win over Theiviya Selvarajoo. Abigail Tere-Apisah then enjoyed a more comfortable 6-2, 6-0 victory against Suhana Sofia.

Carruthers and Tere-Apisah then went on to beat Sofia and Jawairiah Noordin 6-4, 6-2 in rubber three.

In Pool ‘D’, Indonesia got off on the right foot against Sri Lanka with Aldila Sutjiadi beating Nethmi Himashi Waduge 6-0, 6-1. Beatrice Gumulya then defeated Anika Seneviratnea 6-1, 6-1. Deria Nur Haliza and Jessy Rompies were then 6-0, 6-3 winners over Janali Manamperi and Anika Seneviratne.

In other non-bearing ties yesterday, Pakistan beat Bahrain 3-0 in Pool ‘D’ and Oman defeated Iran 2-1 in Pool ‘C’.

Sara Mansoor beat Maya Bseisu 6-1, 6-1 and Sarah Mahboob Khan defeated Nazil Nader Redha 6-0, 6-1 in Pakistan’s two singles wins. Mansoor and Ushna Suhail then beat Bahrainis Faten Husain and Redha in straight sets 6-0, 6-0.

In Oman’s match-up with Iran, Shahrzad Banisaeid got the Iranians off to a bright start with a 2-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-1 win against Sarah Al Balushi.

But the Omanis quickly responded with Fatma Al Nabhani beating Kimiya Asbaghipour 6-0 6-1, after which Al Balushi and Al Nabhani powered together for a 6-2, 6-1 win against Sara Azaddoost and Banisaeid.