Luksika Eyes On Fed Cup Final for Thailand
Thai No 1 Luksika Kumkhum is determined to lead her team to the final of the Fed Cup Zone Asia/Oceania Qualifying Round Group I tie which is due in Kazakhstan between February 8-11.
Luksika will be joined by Peangtarn Plipuech, Nicha Lertpitaksinchai and Kamonwan Buayam in the Group I pool A which consists of powerful teams like South Korea and host Kazakhstan.
“I’m quite confident coming back from the Australian Open. I’m ready to play tough teams like South Korea and Kazakhstan. I hope we can win,” Luksika who led the team to the World Group II Play-off in 2014.
Despite the absence of Thai No 3 Varatchaya Wongteanchai who is committed to other tournaments, No 3 Peangtarn and No 4 Nicha are in the line-up which should increase the Thai chance up against pool A rivals especially host Kazakhstan which has two top 40 players Yualia Putintseva, No 31, and Yaroslava Shvedova, No 39.
“There are several good players in the team. We hope to win matches and make it to the final,” said the world No 183 Luksika.
The winner of Pool A will move into the final against a winner of Pool B which comprises China, Japan, India and the Philippines for a spot in the World Group II play-off. Each of the team that finishes bottom of the Pools will compete to avoid relegation to zonal Group II.
Asked what would be her advice for the teammates, the Thai No 1 said: “What I can say is that they have to be prepared for minus 30 degree. They have to be able to put up a great fight under freezing environment .”
The team supervised by captain Tamarine Tanasugarn and coach Phacharapol Khamsaman will leave for Astana on February 5.
