Dubai: The Indian Fed cup team created history by progressing to the playoffs for the first time ever with Ankita Raina leading the side to a 2-1 win over Indonesia, here.
Ankita on Saturday night pulled off a crucial singles win against talented Aldila Sutjiadi to lock the tie 1-1 after Rutuja Bhosale suffered a crushing defeat against an unranked Priska Madelyn Nugroho.
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“The highlight? I think every single match was a highlight.”
— Fed Cup (@FedCup) March 7, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
China and India reach #FedCup play-offs. 👉 https://t.co/37q5sntDrk pic.twitter.com/6doHHCNy1i
">“The highlight? I think every single match was a highlight.”
— Fed Cup (@FedCup) March 7, 2020
China and India reach #FedCup play-offs. 👉 https://t.co/37q5sntDrk pic.twitter.com/6doHHCNy1i“The highlight? I think every single match was a highlight.”
— Fed Cup (@FedCup) March 7, 2020
China and India reach #FedCup play-offs. 👉 https://t.co/37q5sntDrk pic.twitter.com/6doHHCNy1i
Up against the 16-year-old Indonesian, who is ranked 15th on the ITF junior circuit, Rutuja lost 3-6 6-0 3-6 in one hour and 43 minutes in the opening singles.
Ankita, who lost her previous two singles, demolished the challenge of Sutjiadi 6-3 6-3 in the second rubber.
She then combined with seasoned Sania Mirza to beat Sutziyadi and Nugroho 7-6(4) 6-0 to seal India's place in the play-offs where they will take on either Latvia or the Netherlands in April.
They overcame a sluggish start as they were trailing 1-4 but regrouped to dominate the decisive set.
India finished second in the six-team Group with four wins in a row after losing the opening tie to China, who remained unbeaten in the tournament.
Since earning their place back in Asia/Oceania Group I in 2016, India has remained in the regional group.
With the rise of Ankita, things began to improve.
Rutuja also played a key role as she provided winning starts in a few ties, sharing the burden with Ankita.
Sania's return to Fed Cup after four years also helped as her inspirational presence and guidance helped the side immensely.
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🇨🇳➕🇮🇳 moving on 🆙
— Fed Cup (@FedCup) March 7, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
By finishing first and second at the Asia/Oceania Group I event in Dubai, China and India have earned their place in April's #FedCup by BNP Paribas Play-offs! pic.twitter.com/40ynydVev1
">🇨🇳➕🇮🇳 moving on 🆙
— Fed Cup (@FedCup) March 7, 2020
By finishing first and second at the Asia/Oceania Group I event in Dubai, China and India have earned their place in April's #FedCup by BNP Paribas Play-offs! pic.twitter.com/40ynydVev1🇨🇳➕🇮🇳 moving on 🆙
— Fed Cup (@FedCup) March 7, 2020
By finishing first and second at the Asia/Oceania Group I event in Dubai, China and India have earned their place in April's #FedCup by BNP Paribas Play-offs! pic.twitter.com/40ynydVev1
India's non-playing captain Vishal Uppal is delighted with the result.
"It's a historic moment and to be part of it feels surreal. I am proud of each and every member of our team -- the players, physio, coach, manager. We all came together and worked towards a common goal," Uppal told media.
"The key was to do the fundamentals well and keep it simple on the court. As a team, everyone stepped up one day or the other which is very important. I hope this win will give a big boost to women's tennis in India.
