India opened its account in the Billie Jean King Cup with a 2-1 victory against Thailand in the group phase in Pune on Wednesday. Shrivalli Bamidipaty set the tone for the hosts with a categorical victory, before the experienced duo of Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare helps India to get rid of the tournament organized at the Mhalunge Balewadi tennis complex. Bamidipaty resumed where she stopped the first day, offering another dominant performance against the Tararudee of Lanlana in Thailand.
Playing only her second match in Indian colors, she dismissed her opponent in an hour and 15 minutes, displaying a range of cerebral vascular accidents to win 6-2, 6-4, giving India an advance of 1-0 tied against Thailand.
The second game of the day saw Sahaja Yamalapalli face Manchaya Sawangkaew, in what turned out to be a biting competition. The two players went hand in hand, putting exceptional tennis exposed.
Manchaya won the first set 6-3, before Sahaja showed an immense grain and determination to take the second set 7-6 (7-3).
By dragging 0-1 in the final set, the young Indian unfortunately had to retire, bringing curtains to an exciting match which lasted two hours and 23 minutes.
The experienced Indian duo of Ankita and Thombare then took over on Peangtarn Plipuech and Patcharin Cheapchandej in the double game.
The Indians put the first set in bag before waving in the second. However, they distributed a superb performance in equality, sealing a victory in the Super Tie-Break, with a score of 7-6, 3-6, 10-3 in an hour and 55 minutes.
India had lost New Zealand 1-2 on Tuesday. India will face Hong Kong in its third match on Thursday.
(With the exception of the title, this story has not been published by NDTV staff and is published from a unionized flow.)
Subjects mentioned in this article
