India beat Uzbekistan to register first win in Fed Cup
After back-to-back defeats against Thailand and Japan, the Indian women’s tennis team finally notched up a win in the Fed Cup tie by beating Uzbekistan 3-0 to register their first win. However, India failed to make it to the next round of the World Group II playoffs after suffering two defeats.
Prerna Bhambri got India off to a great start defeating World No. 217 Nigina Abduraimova in straight sets to put India in the lead. The 23-year old Indian, who is ranked No.399 in the world, produced a brilliant performance to go past her rival 6-1, 6-1.
Ankita Raina, who registered an upset victory against World No. 56 Nao Hibino of Japan yesterday, continued her good run in the tournament and confirmed India’s victory against Uzbekistan beating World No.239 Sabina Sharipova 6-1, 6-0.
World No.1 Sania Mirza, who had suffered a rare defeat in doubles in yesterday’s match against Japan, restarted her winning run on Friday by defeating the Uzbek pair in straight sets. Sania, who had partnered 21-year old Prarthana Thombare in yesterday’s match, teamed up with Ankita Raina to finish off the match under an hour.
The World No.1 looked in much better form against the Uzbek pair of Akgul Amanmuradova and Arina Folts and pocketed the first set 6-2. With Sania and Ankita producing some great serves, Uzbekistan had no chance in the second and went down 6-0 to surrender the match to the Indians.
With two defeats and a win, India avoided relegation and confirmed their place in Pool A (Group 1) for the next edition of the Fed Cup. India will play in a positional play-off on Saturday to determine their position in the Asia/Oceania Group 1.
The winner of the match between Japan and Thailand will progress into the next round in search of a place in the World Group II play-offs in April 2016.
(Also Read: Will the Sania- Hingis phenomenon turn the spotlight on women's doubles?)
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