Kyrgyzstan, Iran win promotion

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Kyrgyzstan and Iran yesterday won promotion for Asia/Oceania Zone Group II in next year’s Billie Jean King Cup tennis competition.

The pair secured their qualification berths after finishing as the top two women’s national squads in this year’s 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group III event, held this past week in the Kingdom at the Bahrain Tennis Federation (BTF) hard courts in Isa Town.

Kyrgyzstan claimed their place after defeating Qatar 3-0 in their final round match-up, while Iran claimed a hardearned 3-0 victory against Laos.

Following yesterday’s action, BTF president Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa awarded the Kyrgyzstan and Iran players their respective medals for their respective finishes in Bahrain.

Also on hand was BTF secretary general Fouad Al Ruwaie.

In Kyrgyzstan’s victory, Vladislava Andreevskaya beat Khadija Gassama 6-0, 6-0 in the opening singles contest.

Arina Solomatina then followed suit with a 6-2, 6-4 win against Mubaraka Al Naimi.

Vladislava and Arina then completed the sweep after defeating Khadija and Mubaraka 6-1, 6-0 in their doubles clash and thus sealed their promotion.

The Kyrgyzstan team in Bahrain also featured Safina Khabibrakhmanova, while the Qataris also included Safiya Al Thani, Shaikha Khalifa and Hind Al Mudahka.

In the tightly contested matchup between Iran and Laos, the Iranians came out triumphant but not without a valiant fight from their rivals.

In the first singles match, Iran’s Nili Atfi outclassed Laos’ Phonephathep Philavong 6-0, 6-0. Yasaman Yazdani then claimed the narrowest of victories following a fierce battle with Malaylack Delilah Pathummakuronen.

Yasaman triumphed 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (7-4) in a thrilling encounter.

In their doubles match, Hana Soltani and Kimia Sagheb Tehrani claimed a 6-0, 6-2 win against Malaylack and Phonephathep.

Iran’s squad at this year’s event in Bahrain also featured Meshkatolzahra Safi, while Laos also had Thirada Phommachack and Phonesamai Champamanivong.

The Billie Jean King Cup is a leading global tournament between national teams in women’s tennis. The competition in the Kingdom was a zonal event.