Workforce India on a victory lap after qualifying for the Billie Jean King Cup World Group play-offs.
| Photograph Credit score: Kamesh Srinivasan
5 years after enjoying a sterling function in partnership with Sania Mirza, Ankita Raina did it as soon as once more, in taking India to the Billie Jean King Cup World Group play-offs, by profitable the decisive doubles in opposition to Korea, within the final league match in partnership with Prarthana Thombare.
In 2020, Ankita had gained the decisive doubles rubber in opposition to Indonesia to see India qualify because the second staff behind China. Ankita had gained three doubles matches then with Sania, other than most of her singles matches, when the occasion was referred to as the FedCup.
This time round, captain Vishal Uppal opted to protect the No.1 participant within the staff, Ankita, for the doubles for all of the 5 league matches. Ankita and Prarthana got here up with a powerful efficiency in opposition to Sohyun Park and Kim Dabin, for a memorable end for the host.
Vishal had performed a key function in making a plan and executing it properly with the mixed effort of the staff.
“I’m ecstatic at having achieved our “lakshya” once more. I’ve believed in these women for some time now they usually have additional strengthened my resolve by this efficiency”, stated Vishal, who was the captain in 2020 as nicely.
He was notably happy to realize the qualification on residence soil, and share the enjoyment with “fellow Indians”.
The captain trusted the youthful gamers with the load of tackling all singles matches, preserving Ankita for the decisive doubles.
“I studied the opposite groups once they had been introduced and noticed the strengths of our staff, and the way we may use that tactically in opposition to every particular person staff. I felt we wanted the firepower of the youth for singles, and for the essential doubles, we wanted essentially the most skilled to deal with the additional stress. I’m very joyful that the plan labored,” noticed Vishal.
After Vaidehi Chaudhari had gained two singles matches, Vishal opted to convey again Sahaja Yamalapalli to play the second singles as No.1, enjoying Shrivalli within the first singles as No.2, in opposition to Korea.
“That was tactical. I felt Shrivalli vs Park was a greater match up for us. It additionally made Park very drained for the doubles, which finally labored in our favour,” stated Vishal.
Shrivalli gained in opposition to Park in a three-hour battle of wits, blasting her method out of hassle, and sustaining her explosive recreation until the top. Shrivalli in truth gained all her 5 singles matches, and two of them in opposition to No.1 singles opponents.
“Shrivalli had a unbelievable week. She has a giant recreation and must repeatedly work on changing into harder tactically, mentally and bodily. She is a free stroking participant and does her greatest when she is dedicated to swinging freely,” stated Vishal.
The staff could have a couple of months to prepare for the World Group play-offs.
“I hope our gamers make themselves harder bodily and tactically. And in addition perceive the significance of the psychological recreation,” he stated.
It was pleasing tennis for everybody because the matches began at 3.30 p.m. on all 5 days on the Balewadi Stadium, making it simpler not just for the gamers “but in addition for the captains”.
A giant supporter of Indian girls’s tennis, as he retains internet hosting worldwide occasions at his academy in Gurugram yearly, Vishal stated that he would dedicate the win to “all of the younger women who aspire to pursue their desires”.
His message for the entire of India is, “our women have quite a lot of potential to change into world-beaters. It’s about time we began backing them”.
Revealed – April 13, 2025 07:04 pm IST
