NZ clinch Fed Cup promotion over Philippines
For the first time since 2010, New Zealand will play in Asia Oceania Group I of the Fed Cup next year after winning the final of this week’s tournament in Wellington.
At the Renouf Centre yesterday, the New Zealand team beat the Philippines in the final, winning the first two singles rubbers to confirm victory, even though the doubles was lost.
Valentina Ivanov defeated Shaira Hope Rivera 7-5 6-1 in the opening rubber yesterday..
The match was far tougher for Ivanov than expected, particularly in the first set.
In one game, the 18-year-old Kiwi served three double faults and she went from being up 5-2 in the set to finding herself in a battle at 5-5.
Rivera was by far the best player any New Zealander had gone up against this weekend but Ivanov made a lot of unforced errors and struggled after dominating the start of the match.
The second set was better for Ivanov as Rivera looked fatigued in the heat and it didn’t take Ivanov long to wrap up the match. That was followed by Paige Hourigan defeating Marian
Jade Capadocia 6-2 6-3 to confirm the victory.
Hourigan struggled at the start but once she managed to find her rhythm, she played much better and never looked like losing the first set.
Hourigan served well and backed that up with big forehands and hitting the ball with more pace than Capadocia could handle. But, after getting an early break in the second set, Hourigan double faulted on break point to make it 2-2.
But, with another break in the following game, Hourigan went back in front, which is where she stayed for the remainder of the match, although she did need five match points to finally get over the line.
‘‘She’s an unusual player to play, drop shotting on balls you rarely drop shot on and where you make one out of Hourigan said of Capadocia.
‘‘So it was hard to get rhythm, but once I knuckled down and got used to it, I was able to push through.’’
Hourigan hoped that with Fed Cup captain Marina Erakovic on board and a settled team, this week would be the start of something special for the Kiwi team.
‘‘It was amazing having Marina and hopefully she puts her hand up for next year,’’ Hourigan said.
‘‘Everybody vibed with her really well, she was an amazing captain and very positive ... us girls played really well and I’m excited.’’
Even though the tie was won, the doubles dead rubber was still played, with Emily Fanning and Kelly Southwood losing to Rivera and Capadocia 6-3 4-6 11-9. 20,’’