CNMI withstands Vietnam in BJKC debut

The CNMI won its debut in the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup after beating Vietnam, 2-1, last Tuesday in Pool A of Asia/Oceania III at the Bahrain Tennis Club in Manama, Bahrain.

CNMI No. 2 Isabel Heras lost a hard-fought match against Vietnam’s Thi Mai Linh Ngunen, 4-6, 5-7, in the first game, but CNMI No. 1 Carol Lee equalized the tie with a masterful 6-0, 6-1 victory over Vietnam’s Sophia Tran Ngoc Nhi Huynh.

Then in the rubber doubles, Lee and Heras gave the CNMI the win with a 6-4, 7-5 (7-2) victory over Huynh and Hanh Hong Ngo.

The win was significant for debuting CNMI considering that Vietnam has a population of over 100 million compared to the former’s just over 43,000.

CNMI team captain Lydia Tan gave kudos to Lee and Heras for sticking to it in the highly competitive doubles match that went to a tiebreaker.

“Both girls played great! We had two match points but failed to finish it. It went to tiebreak. Great play at the net from Carol and Isabel during the tiebreak and Carol served for the match point. She aced the match point,” she said.

Lee, for her part, said it was a challenge going up against players from Vietnam,

“The Vietnam team was a tough opponent to play but we expected the high intensity and level and we gave our best so I am proud of our work ethic today. Weather is dry heat so definitely need to hydrate a lot. Courts are fast and balls skits sometimes so need to adjust with the timing.”

Earlier, Heras said it was an honor representing the CNMI in the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup.

“I’m always excited and honored to represent the Northern Mariana Islands. As this is our first year competing, we are unranked, but I have high faith in our team to do well. We all have experience playing college tennis which has instilled great values of teamwork, effort, and hard work. We hope to make the Marianas proud!”

Aside from Lee and Heras also suiting up for Team NMI are collegiate netters Asia Rauleroson and Hye Jin Eliott.

The CNMI is in Pool A together with Vietnam, Macau, and Brunei.