CNMI promoted to Group II after beating Myanmar

The CNMI has been promoted to Asia/Oceania Group II next year after it beat Myanmar, 2-1, in the crossover Asia/Oceania Group III finals of the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup competition last Saturday in Manama, Bahrain.

CNMI No. 2 Isabel Heras lost the first singles match after succumbing to Nilar Win, 3-6, 2-6. CNMI No. 1 Carol Lee, however, like she often did during the weeklong competition, equalized the tie following a masterful 6-0, 6-0 blanking of Htay Htay Myint.

In the doubles to decide what team advances to Group II, Lee teamed up with Heras to pummel Win and Thiri Zoun, 6-1, 6-3, as the CNMI delegation to Bahrain exploded in celebration for the victorious campaign in Manama.

Team captain Lydia Tan, herself a former CNMI national player, was ecstatic after the women clinched the promotion by beating the Southeast Asian nation of more than 54 million.

“We came to Bahrain and set our goal to get promoted and we did it. Could not be happier as a team captain and first time in this Billie Jean King Cup. This is a historic moment for the NMI! Thank you to these incredible ladies—Isabel Heras, Carol Lee, Asia Raulerson, and Hye Jin Elliott—that has made the NMI proud. Kudos to all four lovely players.”

The CNMI beat No. 1 seed Vietnam on Day 1, 2-1, then swept Brunei in its next assignment, 3-0. On Day 3, the CNMI booked its ticket to the finals after beating Macau, 2-1.

“We would like to thank the Bahrain Tennis Federation for hosting, ITF officials, ball kids, and everyone for making this Billie Jean King Cup successful. Congratulations to the Philippine team too after they also got promoted to Group II next year. Lastly, huge congratulations to Team NMI and these four ladies. The have definitely made the NMI proud!”

Lee, for her part, said Myanmar gave them a tough challenge and she’s thankful Team NMI pulled through and will play in Group II in the Billie Jean King Cup in 2025.

“It was a tough team to play against, but we managed to compete and maintain our intensity throughout the matches. I want to express my gratitude to my team, the people back on Saipan who have been supporting us, and NMITA (Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association) for making it possible for us to participate in the Billie Jean King Cup. Congratulations to the Philippine team on their promotion to Group II, and a big thank you to the Bahrain Tennis Association for hosting such a wonderful event. I also deeply appreciate everyone and every organization who poured their hearts into making this event a success for all of us,” she said.

Heras said she’s just proud on what the team achieved in Bahrain.

“I’m super proud of each member of my team, as each player played a vital part to our promotion in the Group II category. Hey Jin and Asia played some great doubles against Brunei and Macau. It’s great to see their tennis games improve. Myanmar gave us a good fight, but what helped us solidly the win was our doubles points. My past history playing doubles with Carol gave us an upper hand and not to mention, Carol is incredibly talented! Last, but definitely not least, we could not have done it without our coach and team mom, Lydia Tan. It is always a pleasure and honor to represent the NMI. With this promotion, I’m looking forward to future opportunities that may lie ahead.”

Doubles specialist Raulerson also was on Cloud 9 after clinching the promotion to Group II next year.

“Our team did a very good job at being No. 1. We were the smallest nation in the competition and we somehow still managed to come out on top. I am proud of my teammates.”

Raulerson’s doubles teammate, Eliott, said, overall, her Billie Jean King Cup experience was unforgettable.

“I was given the chance to participate in the Billie Jean King Cup to proudly represent my country and it’s an honor to play for the NMI. There’s a lot of pride playing for your team because you are surrounded by your teammates and coach who are all rooting for you. I was able to meet other girls and create new friendships which made the trip a new experience as well.”

NMITA president and CNMI sports hall of famer Jeff Race also congratulated Tan and company for the historic promotion to Group II of the Billie Jean King Cup.

“Incredible effort from our amazing Billie Jean King Cup team. A fantastic performance in making history. Congratulations Lydia, Carol, Isabel, Asia and Hye Jin on your achievement!”

Last Friday, the CNMI beat Macau to finalize its entry to the playoff match against Myanmar.

Heras gave the team the lead when she defeated Macau’s Weng Si Leong in a tightrope, 6-4, 7-6. Lee then clinched the tie when she quickly dispatched Jamie Lau, 6-1, 6-3. Raulerson and Elliott then capped it off with 6-4, 7-5 victory over Lau and Si Nok Ho to send the NMI to the playoff.

Tan said the team did great against Macau but the match of the day was Heras’ win against Leong.

“Isabel played the first match and she was down on 3-4 and broke her opponent’s serve to 4-4. Then she held her serve to make it 5-4. Then she broke Leong’s serve and took the first set 6-4. On the second set, she had two match point at 5-4 and went to five deuces and could not close the match point. It went to 5-5 and lost her serve to 5-6 to Leong. She then broke Leong’s serve and came to a 6-6 tiebreak. In the tiebreak, it was back and forth to 7-6 and Isabel managed to close the match to 8-6. It was a nail-biting tiebreak.”

She also heaped praised on Lee.

“Carol was super steady and cruising with an easy win, 6-1, 6-3. Carol is the second-best player in the tournament after the Philippine netter (Alex Eala) with a WTA ranking of 150.”

Tan also gave kudos to Raulerson and Eliott for their fine play in the doubles.

“Both Hye Jin and Asia played their best tennis today. Both of them volleyed very well today and made most of their points on their volleys.”