Aussies defeat NZ in Fed Cup tie
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Opening win ... Casey Dellacqua (File photo) (Getty Images: Mark Dadswell)
Australia defeated New Zealand 2-1 in their opening tie at the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Zone group one stage in Bangkok, Thailand on Wednesday.
Casey Dellacqua, fresh from her fourth round appearance in the Australian Open, beat Sacha Jones in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 4-1 after her opponent was forced to retire because of cramp.
New Zealand then levelled the tie when Alicia Molik was forced to retire in the first set against Marina Erakovic because of a calf strain, before Australia salvaged the tie when the doubles combination of Dellacqua and Rennae Stubbs won in straight sets over Erakovic and Leanne Baker 7-5, 6-2.
