OWN CORRESPONDENT, Perth | Friday 2.00pm.
SOUTH Africa will meet Thailand’s tennis minnows for the Hopman Cup on Saturday in Perth following the Thai team’s giant-killing run to the final of the A$900000 mixed teams tournament.
The Thai pair of Paradorn Srichaphan and Tamarine Tanasugarn have upset fancied teams including hosts Australia and Slovakia in their fairytale charge to the final and a tilt at the A$200000 first prize.
“It is incredible to be in the final,” Tamarine said.
“Everyone in Thailand has given us wonderful support and we thank them.” Her partner Paradorn added: “The South Africans are playing well – they are very good.”
The South African team of Amanda Coetzer and Wayne Ferraira is steeped in big time tennis experience and will go into the final as favourites.
One worry for the Thais is Paradorn’s troublesome elbow which was sore during Friday’s matches.
“It is perhaps because I have played so much in the past week,” he said.
It will be the first time either of the Thais have met their South African opponents.
Ferreira, 28, is ranked 53rd in the world, while 20-year-old Paradorn is 106. Coetzer, 28, is ranked 11th in the women’s list, while Tanasugarn, 22, is 72nd. — AFP