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The Indian team opened their account against Thailand, securing a 2-1 victory in the Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group 1, organized by MSLTA in association with ITF, AITA, and PMDTA at the Mahalunge Balewadi Tennis Complex in Pune.
Shrivalli Bhamidipaty set the tone for the hosts with an emphatic win, before the experienced duo of Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare helped India get off the mark in the tournament that is taking place at the Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Complex in Pune.
Shrivalli Bhamidipaty picked up where she left off on day one, delivering another commanding performance against Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee. Playing only her second game in Indian colours, she brushed aside her opponent in an hour and 15 minutes, displaying an array of strokes to win 6-2, 6-4, giving India a 1-0 lead in the tie against Thailand.
The second game of the day saw Sahaja Yamalapalli take on Mananchaya Sawangkaew, in what proved to be a nail-biting contest. The two players went toe-to-toe, putting some exceptional tennis on display. Mananchaya sealed a comeback win to seal the first set 6-3, before Sahaja showed immense grit and determination, fighting back to take the second set 7-6 [7-3]. While trailing 0-1 in the final set, the young Indian star, unfortunately, had to retire hurt, closing the curtains on a thrilling encounter after 2 hours and 23 minutes, and leveling the tie between the two countries at 1-1.
With all to play for in the doubles game, the experienced Indian duo of Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare got the better of Peangtarn Plipuech and Patcharin Cheapchandej from Thailand. The Indians bagged the first set before faltering in the second. However, they came in clutch with a resounding performance in the tie-break, sealing a victory in the super tie-break, with a scoreline of 7-6, 3-6, 10-3 in an hour and 55 minutes.
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