India win back place in Asia-Oceania Group

Feb 06, 2010

Kuala Lumpur, Feb. 6: Sania Mirza and veteran Rushmi Charavarthy registered contrasting singles victories as India blanked Kyrgyzstan 3-0 in the play-off tie to win back their place in the Asia-Oceania Group I of the Fed Cup tennis tournament here on Saturday.

India were relegated to Group II of the zonal competition last year after losing the play-off tie to Chinese Taipei.With talented Poojashree Venkatesha suffering a knee injury ahead of the tie, Rushmi played the first singles against Bermet Duvanaeva.The Indian faced stiff competition from Bermet before prevailing 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, to give India the lead.The second singles was a cake walk for Sania, who cruised to a 6-0, 6-2 win over Ksenia Palkina and clinched the only slot for promotion for her side.Rushmi and Sanaa Bhambri were leading 6-0, 1-0 when the the rival doubles pair of Bermet and Nelli Buyuklianova conceded the inconsequential rubber.Last year India had not won a single match and this year the order reversed.Coach Enrico Piperno was expectedly satisfied with the team’s performance but said a stern test lies ahead. “I am happy with the way we played. We achieved what we wanted to, the mission is accomplished. It was not that it was too easy. The other teams were competitive, there were no novice,” Piperno said.Piperno said Sania’s presence helped the other members of the team. “She is a good support and her presence made a difference,” he said.“Overall I am happy, the team was disciplined and played like a unit.” — PTI

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