WOMEN'S TENNIS TEAM ADVANCES CROATIA INTO FED CUP ELITE

( Editorial: --> 0002 ) BOL, July 26 (Hina) - The Croatian women's tennis team next year for the first time will play in the Federation Cup's elite class - World Group 1. This step was achieved on Sunday following a 3:2 win over the Netherlands team in a World Group 1 qualifying round, played this weekend in Bol on the southern Adriatic island of Brac. Singles wins today by 1997 French Open champion Iva Majoli and Silvija Talaja, over Dutchwoman Miriam Oremans and Amanda Hopmans respectively (6:2 6:2 and 6:2 6:3), helped Croatia gain its best achievement in women's tennis so far. Although Croatia had already advanced by this stage, the Netherlands' Manon Bollegraf and Carolyn Vis achieved a consolation victory in the doubles rubber with a 6:4 3:6 7:6 win over Jelena Kostanic and Talaja. In Saturday's singles matches Talaja beat Oremans 6:3 6:3 while Majoli suffered a shock 1:6 0:6 loss to Hopmans. The Croatian team was captained by Vjerana Friscic. (Hina) mbr 262018 MET jul 98