Shrivalli and Vaidehi lead India to a 2-1 victory against Chinese Taipei in Billie Jean King Cup
With the third consecutive win, team India climbs to second spot on the points table at the prestigious Billie Jean King Cup in Pune
Hyderabad: The young guns, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty and Vaidehi Chaudhari, helped Team India take a significant stride towards their quest for the playoff spot at the Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group 1, guiding the team to a 2-1 victory against Chinese Taipei, at the Mahalunge Balewadi Tennis Complex in Pune on Friday.
This was the hosts’ third consecutive win, helping them climb to second spot on the points table in this prestigious tournament. It was another successful outing for Vaidehi Chaudhari, who bagged her second win in as many matches, this time against Fang An Lin. Ranked 351 in singles, the Indian star dominated proceedings in the first set before her opponent forced a deciding set. However, Vaidehi responded in style, eventually sealing a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 win in 2 hours and 9 minutes, giving India a 1-0 lead in the tie.
In the second match, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty of Hyderabad maintained her perfect record in the tournament, registering her fourth consecutive win in a hard-fought battle against Joanna Garland, ranked 207. One of India’s most promising stars, ranked 304, Shrivalli dominated proceedings in the first set and eventually wrapped up the contest with a scoreline of 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) in 2 hours and 38 minutes, ensuring that the hosts secure the tie against Chinese Taipei.
In the final match of the day, Chinese Taipei’s doubles pairing of Yi Tsen Cho and Fang-Hsein Wu pipped the Indian pairing of Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare. After surrendering the first set, the experienced Indian pair fought back to win the second set.
Unfortunately, the hosts couldn’t complete the clean sweep in the super tie break, eventually falling short by a scoreline of 2-6, 6-4, 6-10, in an hour and 31 minutes.
