Lulu Sun in action for New Zealand at the Billie Jean King Cup women's teams tournament in Pune. Photo: Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association
New Zealand have broken a 32-year drought by qualifying for the Billie Jean King Cup women's teams tennis World Group playoffs.
The team led by world number 45 Lulu Sun, beat Thailand 2-1 in Pune, India overnight to make it four wins from four in the Asia/Oceania group one tournament.
They top the round robin standings with four wins from four ties and are guaranteed to finish among the top two nations who will play off for a world group place in November.
New Zealand last progressed through Asia/Oceania stage in 1993.
Led by world No.45 Lulu Sun, who is unbeaten this week, New Zealand took an unassailable against the Thais by winning both singles matches.
Monique Barry. Photo: photosport
Barry has been in career-best form for her country and got her team off to the ideal start by beating Thailand's Patcharin Cheapchandej 7-5, 6-2.
Sun secured the tie by beating world No.110 Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4 3-6 6-3, who had been unbeaten at the tournament until that point.
With promotion guaranteed, New Zealand team captain Matt Hair may be tempted to play younger members of his team in their final tie against Hong Kong on Saturday night.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
