DOUBLES TROUBLE LEADS TO BRITAIN’S FED EXIT
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN reckons a new diet could see him live to 200 – but he used up a Crucible life against Stephen Maguire yesterday.
ANNE KEOTHAVONG defended her decision to use Johanna Konta and Heather Watson for the doubles after suffering Fed Cup despair in Japan.
Britain were beaten 3-2 by the hosts in their promotion play-off – Konta and Watson losing the deciding doubles rubber to Miyu Kato and Makoto Ninomiya 3-6 6-3 6-3. Anna Smith and debutant Gabi Taylor were the original nominations for the doubles, but captain Keothavong replaced them with the more experienced pairing after Watson lost Sunday’s second singles match to leave the tie at 2-2.
Keothavong said: “We are gutted about the result. One day our opportunity will come. If you keep knocking on the door, it will eventually open. It wasn’t to be this year, but who is to say it won’t be next year.
“I’m proud of the effort both Jo and Heather put into the singles and doubles. Despite the short turnaround time I have no doubts it was the right decision for them to play the doubles.”
Britain have not played in the World Group in 25 years and will compete again in Europe/Africa Group I in February 2019.
It was disappointing for Britain, especially after Konta put them 2-1 up with a 6-3 6-3 victory against Naomi Osaka – the British No.1’s second straight-sets win.
Japan levelled the tie as Kurumi Nara beat Watson 7-6 6-4 to give the partisan home crowd their wish of a doubles decider.