India’s Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare combined remarkably well to beat Peangtarn Plipuech and Patcharin Cheapchandej 7-6(3), 3-6, [10-3] in the decisive doubles match against Thailand in the Asia-Oceania Billie Jean King Cup women’s tennis championship at the Balewadi Stadium on Wednesday.
After having lost 1-2 to New Zealand in the first tie, it was an admirable recovery by India, especially after Sahaja Yamalapalli had to retire in the third set of the second rubber against Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
It was high-quality entertainment for the sparse gathering, as Ankita and Prarthana handled the energetic Thais with assurance, especially in the super tie-break, racing away to set up six match points, and closing it out without any further drama.
Earlier, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty gave further evidence of her strong all-round game and a sound temperament as she wriggled out of a tight situation in the second set to beat the 170th-ranked Lanlana Tararudee 6-2, 6-4. Shrivalli trailed 2-4 in the second set, but turned it around by winning the next four games.
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Sahaja fought hard till she was brought down by a bout of cramps early in the third set, when she had to retire. It was a gutsy feat from her that she won the second set tie-break, after having failed to serve out that set in the tenth and 12th games.
Sawangkaew was indeed very crafty, and made Sahaja work for every point.
Meanwhile, world No.41 Lulu Sun continued to make her presence felt for New Zealand, as she once again won her singles and doubles matches, to pull the Kiwis to their second 2-1 victory, past Korea.
Sohyun Park gave a flying start for Korea by racing away with the first singles, but the Wimbledon quarterfinalist Lulu won the second singles in straight sets against Dayeon Back. She joined Monique Barry to beat Kim Dabin and Eunhye Lee 10-8 in the super tie-break of the doubles.
The results (league):
India bt Thailand 2-1 (Shrivalli Bhamidipaty bt Lanlana Tararudee 6-2, 6-4; Sahaja Yamalapalli lost to Mananchaya Sawangkaew 3-6, 7-6(3), 0-1 (retired); Ankita Raina & Prarthana Thombare bt Patcharin Cheapchandej & Peangtarn Plipuech 7-6(3), 3-6, [10-3[).
New Zealand bt Korea 2-1 (Renee Zhang lost to Sohyun Park 1-6, 0-6; Lulu Sun bt Dayeon Back 6-4, 6-1; Monique Barry & Lulu Sun bt Kim Dabin Eunhye Lee 6-3, 4-6, [10-8]).
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com