Aussies supposed to beat Thais, says Goolagong

SYDNEY: Australia’s women have fallen on hard times but they expect to beat Thailand and avoid relegation from the Fed Cup World Group in Bangkok this weekend, captain Evonne Goolagong Cawley said Wednesday.

Goolagong Cawley believes Australia should be too strong for Thailand. “The whole team is very eager to get on and do well for Australia, we’re out here to win,” Goolagong Cawley said from Thailand. “On rankings, we’re the team that’s supposed to win. Tamarine Tanasugarn is (ranked) 51 but she’s going to be the danger player, we have to be playing at the top of our tennis for her.”

Nicole Pratt and Samantha Stosur are almost certain to gain the singles berths, while Lisa McShea and Pratt are likely to team up in the doubles. Despite the loss of Alicia Molik, Australian Fed Cup coach Mark Woodforde believes his young team can avoid the drop for the first time since the Fed Cup began in 1963. Australia haven’t won the Fed Cup since 1974 when Goolagong Cawley led the team to the last of their seven titles. The best subsequent result has been a loss to Spain in the 1993 final. The Australian team lost 4-1 to tournament favourites Russia in the first round in April to be consigned to the tie against Thailand, who will be led by Tanasugarn. Tanasugarn will carry most of the load, with teammates Suchanun Viratprasert (ranked 174), Napaporn Tongsalee (300) and Montinee Tangphong (370). afp

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