India qualifies for World Group play-off with New Zealand

Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare lead India to victory over Korea in Billie Jean King Cup tennis championship.

India rose to the occasion in a gripping climax as Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare entertained the fans to take India past Korea with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Kim Dabin and Sohyun Park in the Asia-Oceania Billie Jean King Cup women’s tennis championship at the Balewadi Stadium on Saturday.

India qualified along with New Zealand for the play-off, following its 2-1 victory over Korea. Both the teams had four wins each in the six-team competition.

Captain Vishal Uppal played a brilliant role in handling the resources, and kept Ankita for the climax even though the temptation would have been to field her as the top singles player, after having played Shrivalli Bhamidipaty in the spot.

In the event, Shrivalli played the best match of her career as she bounced back from the jaws of defeat to beat Sohyun Park in a three-hour marathon to clinch the first rubber for India against Korea.

In a match of fluctuating fortunes, which saw two players come up with brilliant strokes and imaginative play, Shrivalli remained confident right through to emerge the winner.

Shrivalli could not serve out the match in the 12th game of the decider, but handled the tie-break with poise and power much to the delight of the supporters who shouted their throats hoarse.

It was the fifth straight victory in the tournament for Shrivalli, an impressive fare, three wins at No.2 and two wins at No.1 against high quality opponents, which should do her confidence a world of good, when she returns to the professional circuit.