Billie Jean Cup | Slovenia outclasses India to top the group

For transient durations, the gang on the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium right here began to imagine within the not possible. However ultimately, the truth of Slovenia’s superior class turned obvious.

Slovenia, led by Tamara Zidansek and Kaja Juvan, guided the customer to a 2-1 win over India within the Billie Jean King Cup play-offs on Saturday. With two straight victories in two days, Slovenia topped the group and superior to the Qualifiers spherical.

India and the Netherlands, who face one another in an inconsequential tie on Sunday, have been relegated to Group I.

The motion started with a spirited efficiency from India quantity two Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, who managed to stretch 2021 French Open semifinalist Zidansek to a few units. Zidansek was dominant within the first set, helped by Shrivalli’s struggles with early nerves.

Shrivalli discovered her service rhythm to hit high gear within the second set. The followers and her teammates on the sidelines have been out of their seats with pleasure, as Shrivalli stepped in and cleaned up all weak returns from Zidansek.

Shrivalli, the World No. 381, buried Zidansek underneath a barrage of forehand winners to power a decider. The third set began with loud chants supporting India, however Zidansek was decided to spoil the social gathering.

It was now Zidansek’s flip to hit the appropriate spots on her serve and her confidence grew as she held serve simply. After two hours and 19 minutes, it was 1-0 to Slovenia.

World No. 309 Sahaja Yamalapalli, in distinction to Shrivalli, went for her pictures from the primary level. There was hearth in her groundstrokes, which took Juvan (World No. 98) without warning. As soon as once more, dwelling hopes soared when Sahaja constantly saved the ball deep in Juvan’s baseline. Sahaja closed in and dispatched the moon balls with assured volleys, staying within the contest at 4-4.

A couple of errors, nevertheless, crept into Sahaja’s sport and the fizz was misplaced. The athletic Juvan pissed off Sahaja by retrieving the ball from all corners of the courtroom, and used intelligent drop pictures to catch Sahaja off guard. Sahaja went right into a shell within the second set, and Juvan sailed by in straight units. The Indian dream of gaining a historic maiden spot within the Qualifiers should wait one other 12 months.

Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare gave India a comfort win within the doubles, taking out Dalila Jakupovic and Nika Radisic.

The outcome: Slovenia bt India 2-1 (Tamara Zidansek bt Shrivalli Bhamidipaty 6-3, 4-6, 6-1; Kaja Juvan bt Sahaja Yamalapalli 6-4, 6-2; Dalila Jakupovic/Nika Radisic misplaced to Ankita Raina/Prarthana Thombare 1-6, 6-3, 7-10).