Pacific Oceania have suffered a narrow loss to Hong Kong in their first tie at the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group Two event in Thailand.
Papua New Guinea's Abigail Tere-Apisah won the opening singles rubber 2-6 6-1 7-5 against Man Ying Maggie NG, having saved a match point at 5-4 down in the deciding set.
Samoa's Steffi Carruthers was no match for Ling Zhang, beaten in straight sets by the world number 293.
Chun-Wing Sher and Zhang then combined to win the deciding doubles tie 6-3 6-2, during which Carruthers was unable to move normally because of a sore back.
Pacific Oceania Fed Cup tennis captain Patrice Cotti (c) and from players from left: Steffi Carruthers, Mayka Zima, Ayana Rengiil, Abigail Tere-Apisah. Photo: Supplied
Pacific Oceania team captain Patrice Cotti said he was disappointed with their opening tie as he think they could have won.
Their next opponent in Group A is Iran on Tuesday morning local time, who were beaten 3-0 by the Philippines.
Meanwhile the Pacific Oceania Junior Fed Cup team have lost 3-0 to Australia in their first tie at the Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying in India.
