Tennis: Oman launch Fed Cup campaign in style

Muscat: With Fatma Al Nabhani leading from the front, Oman outlasted Malaysia in a 2-1 victory to launch their campaign in the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Group II competition in style in Bahrain on Tuesday.
In a Pool C tie of the 14-team competition, the Oman had to dig deep before overcoming the Malaysian challenge.
In the first singles rubber, Oman suffered a jolt when young Sarah Al Balushi has handed a 6-1, 6-2 defeat by Theiviya Selvarajoo.
However, experienced Fatma Al Nabhani kept Oman’s hopes alive by overcoming a late charge by Suhana Sofia in the second singles rubber for a 6-2, 7-5 win.
In the deciding doubles rubber too, Fatma and Sarah were given a tough time by Malaysian duo of Jawairiah Noordin and Theiviya Selvarajoo. But the Omani girls kept their cool to win the match in three sets 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-5 and with that the tie.
In another Pool A tie, Pacific Oceania had an easing outing defeating Iran 3-0.
In the first singles, Steffi Carruthers defeated Sara Azaddoost 6-1, 6-0 and then Carol Youngsuh Lee made it 2-0 with a similar 6-1, 6-0 win over Kimiya Asbaghipour.
In the doubles, Steffi Carruthers and Abigail Tere-Apisah cruised to 6-0, 6-0 victory over Shahrzad Banisaeid and Kimia Rahmani.
The 14 participating teams, divided into four pools, are vying for two promotional places from the Bahrain competition.
At the end of round robin ties, the winners of Pool A will clash with winners of Pool C and Pool B toppers take on Pool D winners. The winners of those playoffs will be promoted to Group I in 2019.
On Wednesday, Oman face Pacific Oceania and Malaysia play Iran.
In other ties played on Tuesday, Uzbekistan defeated Lebanon 3-0 in Pool A and the Philippines recorded a 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan.
In Pool D, Indonesia were 3-0 winners over Bahrain and Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka 2-1.

Pool C results
Oman bt Malaysia 2-1.
Sarah Al Balushi lost to Theiviya Selvarajoo 1-6, 2-6.
Fatma Al Nabhani bt Suhana Sofia 6-2, 7-5.
Sarah Al Balushi/Fatma Al Nabhani bt Jawairiah Noordin/Theiviya Selvarajoo 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-5.
Pacific Oceania bt Iran 3-0
Steffi Carruthers bt Sara Azaddoost 6-1, 6-0.
Carol Youngsuh Lee bt Kimiya Asbaghipour 6-1, 6-0.
Steffi Carruthers/Abigail Tere-Apisah bt Shahrzad Banisaeid/ Kimia Rahmani 6-0, 6-0.