Tennis: Oman suffer defeat in Fed Cup Group II

Muscat: Despite a valiant effort by Fatma Al Nabhani, Oman suffered a 3-0 defeat against Pacific Oceania in the ongoing Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Group II competition in Bahrain on Wednesday.
The defeat, their first in two outings, leaves Oman in second place in Pool C behind Pacific Oceania, who won both the ties they played so far.
With only pool toppers advancing to the promotional playoffs, Oman’s hopes now depend not only on the result of their final group tie against Iran on Thursday but also on the outcome of the tie between Pacific Oceania and Malaysia.
Against Pacific Oceania on Wednesday, Oman fielded Maryam Al Balushi in the first singles rubber but the debutant found Carol Youngsuh Lee too difficult to handle and lost the match by a 6-0, 6-0 margin.
In the second singles rubber, Omani star Fatma Al Nabhani fought bravely for almost two hours before going down to Abigail Tere-Apisah 7-6 (4), 7-5.
With the tie already lost, Oman fielded debutants Maryam Al Balushi and Aisha Al Suleimani in the doubles. The duo won just one game before losing to Steffi Carruthers and Abigail Tere-Apisah by a 6-0, 6-1 margin.
In another Pool C tie on Wednesday, Malaysia defeated Iran 3-0.
The 14 participating teams, divided into four pools, are vying for two promotional places. 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.

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