Australia and Taiwan had a tough start on the opening day of the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania zone tournament Wednesday, while host Thailand swept to victory. Australia's Casey Dellacqua defeated New Zealander Sacha Jones, who retired due to muscle cramps, but then Alicia Molik was forced to retire because of a calf strain, levelling the match for New Zealand.
Dellacqua paired with Rennae Stubbs to beat Marina Erakovic and Leanne Baker in straight sets. Australia now play Indonesia on Thursday as the former battles to reclaim its spot among the Fed Cup elite after being knocked out of the World Group last year by Ukraine. Tournament second seeds Taiwan lost both single rubbers to Uzbekistan, but the doubles match gave the island one point on the opening day.
Taiwan's top-ranked Hsieh Su-wei lost to Iroda Tulyaganova of Uzbekistan in three sets while Chan Yung-jan lost in straight sets. Host nation Thailand defeated Hong Kong 3-0, all in straight sets.
Thai sensation Tamarine Tanasugarn beat Zhang Ling of Hong Kong 6-3, 6-1 in a 59-minute match while Nudnida Luangnam beat Yang Zi-jun also in straight sets. Thailand now play Uzbekistan while Taiwan will play Hong Kong.
India played without Sania Mirza on the first day and struggled to secure a point. Shika Uberoi won India's only point beating Indonesian Ayu Fani Damayanti in straight sets, but Sandy Gumulya levelled the match for Indonesia, beating Sunitha Rao in three sets. The doubles match also went to Indonesia in straight sets.
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