The Philippines and Laos secured their berths in the promotional playoffs of the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III 2024 tennis tournament, currently being hosted by the kingdom at the Bahrain Tennis Federation (BTF) courts in Isa Town.
The teams confirmed their places in tomorrow’s decisive match-ups after winning their respective ties yesterday to wrap up their preliminary round campaigns.
The Philippines swept Nepal 3-0 in Pool, led by the impressive form of 19-year-old, world number 158 Alexandra Eala, who has yet to concede a set in the competition.
Eala defeated Nepal’s Abhilasha Bista 6-0, 6-0 in the second singles encounter of the head-to-head. Compatriot Marian Jade Capadocia had earlier outplayed Sunira Thapa with a similar 6-0, 6-0 score line. In the doubles match, the pair of Khim Iglupas and Shaira Hope Rivera defeated Swastika Bista and Prajna Manandhar 6-0, 6-0 to complete the clean sweep.
With the result, the Filipinos finished in first place on the Pool B table with an undefeated record after three ties played, while Nepal had a 2-1 win-loss record, Qatar 1-2, and Guam 0-3. The Qataris defeated Guam 2-1 in yesterday’s other Pool B clash.
Meanwhile, Laos edged past Saudi Arabia 2-1 to secure top spot in Pool C and their place in the promotional playoffs. The Saudis got off to a winning start after Daniya Alzuhair won 6-0, 6-0 against Loung Heuchennekhamvongsa. Laos drew level after Malaylack Delilah Pathummakuronen beat Naya El Farouki 6-4, 6-2. Laos then secured the overall victory after Pathummakuronen and Phonesamai Champamanivong overcame Alzuhair and El Farouki 6-4, 6-4 in the doubles affair.
Also yesterday, Bahrain wrapped up their Pool C campaign with a 0-3 loss to Turkmenistan.
Amina Abdulqader bowed 0-6, 0-6 to Aisha Bikhbulatova in the opening clash and then Hajar Zaidan put up some resistance in a 5-7, 2-6 loss to Ilima Guseynova. Bikhbulatova and Rozhan Karajayeva then closed things out with a 6-1, 6-0 win against Zaidan and Haneen Alnajjar.
The Bahrainis finished last in a highly competitive Pool C, ranked behind unbeaten Laos, Turkmenistan with a 2-1 record, and Saudi on a 1-2 mark.
Elsewhere yesterday, Myanmar beat Bhutan 3-0 and the Maldives overcame Tajikistan 2-1 in Pool D, which is the only group in the preliminaries with five teams.
Today, this stage will conclude with four matches to decide the winners of Pools A and D. Northern Mariana Islands and Macau face off while Vietnam and Brunei clash in Pool A, while Myanmar take on Tajikistan and Bhutan face Iraq in Pool D.
Matches begin from 9.30am and all are welcome to attend. Entrance to the BTF is free of charge.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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