Billie Jean King Cup (previously Fed Cup) - India

[Dinesh]

I am surprised we let Ankita play even after that disastrous second set 6-0. I assumed she had some issues physically but...

[jayakris]

The ladies got broken back to 3-3 but just broke to go ahead. 64 54 and serving. Come on!

[sameerph]

They won 64 64.

I was surprised too that Ankita stepped in to play. I would preferred Sania with Rutuja rather than Ankita who had just finished her match and lost the second set 0-6. Probably, Sania would have wanted to play with Ankita only.

Anyway great to see them get it done and get us an important win.

China beat Taiwan and Indonesia beat Uzbekistan today.

So, now after 3 matches each, China with 3 wins, India and Indonesia with 2 wins, Korea and Taiwan with 1 win and Uzbekistan with 0 wins.

Looks like we now have as close as ever to move on to the world group II. If we win our next 2 matches against Taiwan and Indonesia, we will surely be in top 2. But, even if lose 1 of those matches, we have a chance but then it will come down to matches won and all.

[jayakris]

Taiwan and Indonesia are both tough. I think Korea and Uzbekistan were our easier ties, and we took care of business. Not sure if we can win against TPE and INA. Possible, but tough.

[sameerph]

Taiwan's top player Su Wei Heish has gone to Indian wells it seems.

So, in terms of rankings of individual players, we will be favorites both against Taiwan and Indonesia. But onecan never be sure with rankings in Fed/davis cup.

[prasen9]

Is it possible that Ankita fell behind in the 2nd set with a break, say 0-3, and decided to tank (team decision) to preserve energy for the doubles?

[Varma]

It's a team event, so speculating of such a strategy completely makes sense.

- Varma

[PKBasu]

Ankita lost 46 06 to Han Na-Lae (KOR, 182), an absolutely shocking loss against a player currently ranked lower than her (albeit with a slightly better career-high of 149). Clearly Ankita isn’t fully fit this week, which is a real pity and a big setback for us. I hope she somehow puts her best foot forward today against Taiwan, a crucial fixture.

[jaydeep]

In end, good fighting win ... I think we are speculating about Ankita's fitness, but our team think-tank is in a better position to access and take proper decisions ...

At Fed Cup 2020 - Asia/ Oceania Group I, Dubai, UAE

Group A
India bt Korea 2-1

[R1] Rutuja Bhosale (IND,433) bt Su Jeong Jang (KOR,309) 75 64
[R2] Ankita Raina (IND,160) l Na-Lae Han (KOR,184) 46 06
[R3] Sania Mirza (IND)/ Ankita Raina (IND) bt Na-Lae Han (KOR)/ Na Ri Kim (KOR) 64 64

[sameerph]

Taiwan has a very strong doubles pair in Chan sisters who are ranked #14 in the world. So, it is essantial for us to win 2 singles matches against them.

Their #2 singles, Ya Yi Yang is ranked #852 and has lost all her 3 matches here. So, if Rutuja continues to play like she has been doing this week she should win this. The match between and Taiwan's #1 En Shuo Liang is going to be the key here. 19 year old Liang is 2018 Australian open junior champion, currently ranked #205 in the world but easily beat the Korean who beat Ankita yesterday. So, Ankita will have to be at his best here to win against her.

[jayakris]

Rutuja having a big fight with Yai Yi Yang. 63 36 34 on serve. She was down a break at 2-4 and facing 40-15 but somehow broke back just now. Can she hold up? 4-4 ... Now serving at a match point at 4-5 30-40.... Saved. A few decues. Another MP. Again saved.... Phew, holds serve. 5-5 .... two holds. 64 36 66 Match tiebreaker... 4-4, 5-5 ... 6-6 ... mini, 7-6 MP for Rutuja. Serves it off! Ya... Yi... Haw! 63 36 76(6).

Man, Rutuja comes through again, though I didn't expect this match to get this tough.

[ankit1407]

Phew that was close ... good win in the end ..

[sameerph]

Wow, what a tough win by Rutuja. It seems the Yang is just 15 and is ranked top 50 in juniors. She must have played her heart out. But so did Rutuja.

[jayakris]

If we can get past Taiwan today, we will be in good shape even for the second spot, as Korea is up 1-0 on Indonesia and HanNa Lee seems to be on the way to winning it now. With Korea having China next, even if we lose to Indonesia, we might probably end up second - especially if we can win 3-0 today (if I am not mistaken; or maybe it is head to-head between two 3-2 teams and we have to beat Indonesia tomorrow). Too early to count chickens, I know.... Ankita is up 3-0 on En Shuo Liang. Now 63 00

[RohitG]

Is there a telecast for Fed cup? Or any stream?