The New Zealand Fed Cup tennis team has thrashed Pakistan 3-nil to finish 5th at the Fed Cup Asia Oceania Group Two tournament in Bahrain.
Jade Lewis crushed Mahin Qureshi 6-1 6-0 before Erin Routliffe beat Ushna Suhail 6-3 6-1. Emily Fanning and Katherine Westbury teamed up to win the doubles rubber 6-3 6-1 over Sarah Mahboob Khan and Qureshi.
Captain Neil Carter says it was a solid team performance. "Jade had an excellent win while Erin was still not 100 percent but got the job done. The K tape from her niggle created a painful rash. Without the tape she didn't feel quite so confident on serve. Emily and Katherine turned in a convincing performance."
The team will now disperse and despite failing to earn promotion to Asia Oceania Group 1 for 2019, Carter says the signs are good for New Zealand women's tennis.
"The girls have come a long way in the last four weeks. Obviously having a coach on board has helped, travelling with them and trying to get them emotionally more stable". Carter said.