Fed Cup

The regional team side secured promotion to Asia/Oceania Zone Group One last weekend after winning all four of their matches in Bahrain.

Team captain Gilles De Gouy said playing against regional giants like China and Korea in 2019 would hopefully open the door to more opportunities and resources.

Tahiti's Heve Kelley defeated Yacoub Makzoume 6-3 1-6 6-2 in the opening singles rubber in Colombo before Colin Sinclair from the Northern Marianas sealed the result, beating Kareem Al Allaf 6-4 6-0 in his debut match.

The doubles pairing of Brett Baudinet and Aymeric Mara were unable to complete the clean sweep, losing in three sets.

Hosts Sri Lanka also made a winning start in Pool A, beating Jordan 2-1, while Lebanon and Qatar had 2-1 victories over Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.

According to RNZI, Papua New Guinea's Marcia Tere-Apisah got the match-up off to a perfect start, beating Anna Patrimonio 6-1 6-0.

But Samoa's Steffi Carruthers was no match for the world number 439, Katharina Lehnert, beaten 6-0 6-2.

RNZI reports Papua New Guinea's Abigail Tere-Apisah won the opening singles rubber 2-6 6-1 7-5 against Man Ying Maggie NG, having saved a match point at 5-4 down in the deciding set.

Samoa's Steffi Carruthers was no match for Ling Zhang, beaten in straight sets by the world number 293.

Chun-Wing Sher and Zhang then combined to win the deciding doubles tie 6-3 6-2, during which Carruthers was unable to move normally because of a sore back.

Pacific Oceania team captain Patrice Cotti said he was disappointed with their opening tie as he think they could have won.

The composite team finished fifth of eleven teams in Asia/Oceania Zone Group Two in India last year, the first time Pacific Oceania had competed at Fed Cup level since 2004.

This year they have set their sights on top spot in in Hua Hin and will rely on the experienced duo Steffie Carruthers from Samoa and Papua New Guinea's Abigail Tere-Apisah.

Newcomers Ayana Rengiil from Palau and Tahiti's Mayka Zima are also in the squad but are not expected to make it on court.

Team captain Patrice Cotti said there is a good feeling in the team.