So Close, Yet So Far for Billie Jean King Cup Team in Malaysia

The New Zealand Billie Jean King Cup side have lost to Chinese Taipei in a close-fought Promotion Play-off battle in their Asia/Oceania Group 2 event, played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today.

The young New Zealand side topped their round-robin group after five rounds of play, with the decisive victory coming against Indonesia on Thursday, NZ winning two matches to one. The weather in the Malaysian capital has been sweltering all week, with temperatures consistently in the mid-thirties, along with high humidity.

The top two sides in each pool qualified for the Promotional Play-Offs on Saturday, with New Zealand and Indonesia qualifying from Pool B and Pacific Oceania and Chinese Taipei from Pool A. The winners of the Promotional Play-Offs qualified for Asia/Oceania Group 1 next year.

The New Zealand side got off to the perfect start in their promotional tie today, with 20 year old Jade Otway, competing in her first event for New Zealand, taking down former doubles world number 1 and top 50 singles player Latisha Chan 6-4,6-2 in the first singles match of the day. Erin Routliffe was unable to secure the tie for New Zealand in the second singles rubber, losing to Madeline Jessup 6-3, 7-5. Otway and Routliffe took the court again in the deciding doubles rubber and lost a close match 6-3, 6-3 to the Chinese Taipei duo of Hao-Ching Chan and Madeline Jessup. Just a single break of serve in each set was the difference, the New Zealander's had several break-points of their own but were unable to convert them.

The New Zealand side grew in confidence throughout the week as they adjusted to the formidable conditions and will take plenty away from week-long competition. Long-time singles number 1 Paige Hourigan was unavailable with injury, and the form of Otway in particular, on debut for New Zealand, was a great boost for the side.

The result means New Zealand will compete in Asia/Oceania Group 2 once again in 2024, in a case of so close, yet so far for the Kiwis. The Pacific Oceania side, made up of players from across the Pacific region, were able to pick up the win in their Promotional tie against Indonesia and will contest Group 1 next year.

2023 New Zealand Billie Jean King Cup team:
Erin Routliffe, Valentina Ivanov, Vivian Yang, Jade Otway, Monique Barry
Captain: Matt Hair