Published: February 7, 2012

MIKI: Japanese number one Ayumi Morita posted three wins to lead Japan to a 5-0 victory over Slovenia in the Fed Cup tennis World Group II first round tie on Sunday. The 21-year-old ace, who received the Fed Cup Heart Award last year, overwhelmed Slovenia’s top player Polona Hercog in the deciding set for a 3-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 victory to take an insurmountable 3-0 lead earlier in the day. Morita, who defeated Nastja Kolar 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday, completed the best-of-five contest, teaming up with Rika Fujiwara to beat Petra Rampre and Kolar 6-3, 5-7, 6-0 for the perfect scoreline. “It was a tough match (against Hercog), but I’m happy that I was able to help Japan win. I’m relieved, it was good that I played tenaciously, although I played aggressively at the same time,” said Morita. Former world number four Kimiko Date-Krumm, who won the opener against Hercog 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday, was replaced by Kurumi Nara, the winner over Rampre 6-4, 6-4 in the dead rubber in the fourth match. Japan will reach a play-off in April against the first-round losers of the World Group.

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