Billie Jean King Cup (previously Fed Cup) - India

[sameerph]

Yes, it was pretty clear yesterday that Ankita was no in kind of singles form to do much. And it is not that this time like in earlier years we had no options. Both Sahaja and Shrivalli have shown in recent months that they have it in them to win against players at this level. So, one of them should have certainly played here. We can see it here in the forum but not the coach.

Now, as a result of this Ankita may not be that fresh for doubles too and we may miss what looked liked a great opportunity to advance to playoffs after so many years.

[jayakris]

Wasting away such a golden chance, with Japan out of the zone, KOR/TPE not having unbeatable players, and POC reducing the number of teams to deal with. All we needed was one win out of singles and doubles. After the way PT/AR played the doubles yesterday, it was a no-brainer to keep them fresh for the doubles today. How stupid is our coach??

What is the score? The scoreboard is not working, it seems. I am not going to watch the match, because it makes me so mad.

[jayakris]

She lost it 26 26, right? At least it was not a 3-setter. She should have enough for doubles.

But now watch. Shalini will decide that Shrivalli/Prarthana should play doubles. She will stick to the original lineup. I can guarantee it. They may win, but it was much less risky to have Ankita and Prarthana for doubles.

[sameerph]

Ankita lost 2-6 3-6.

Unfortunately, for the first time Ankita is proving to be our weak link in singles in Fed cup and coach is compounding it by keeping on playing her.

[Atithee]

It was sad to see Ankita being reduced to a league level player. Rutuja, OTOH, was solid and hitting with oomph and panache. Liked what I saw from her.

The Indian team is practicing on the court. It looks PT on the far end, but I can’t make out who is on the near end in red leggings. From the pony tail, it looks like Ankita, but I hardly know today’s players.

[Dinesh]

And the doubles nomination was changed from Shrivalli/Prarthana to Ankita/Prarthana. Does Ankita even have the energy to play one more match?

[Atithee]

And the doubles nomination was changed from Shrivalli/Prarthana to Ankita/Prarthana. Does Ankita even have the energy to play one more match?

She seems to be playing with a lot more confidence in the first and only game I watched.

[Dinesh]

India started strong with a 3-0 lead but back to a 1 game break now. PGT serving 4-3. That happy birthday song is really annoying. How has the players and team captains not complained yet?

1st set to Team India 6-4. Solid service game from AR seals the deal. This is not done yet since the Korean team is on a 3-match winning streak this week. Let’s hope AR/PGT keeps this up.

[Dinesh]

Doubles to the rescue again. There was a minor hiccup from 5-2 to 5-4 but thankfully they regrouped and won the deciding deuce point. 6-4 6-4 and 2-1 win for Team India.

[jayakris]

Yeah, I was watching the doubles match. It got scary at the end. Needed the 2-3 mistakes from Koreans in the end, because we were totally out of gas, with even Prarthana choking on a few points. Phew!

[sameerph]

Great.

Now real chance of advancing to the play offs. NZ beat Taiwan today. So, they wont be a pushover tomorrow.

[jayakris]

I wonder what the tiebreaker is for the 2nd spot. KOR will finish 3-2 and 10-5 in matches, assuming CHN will beat them 3-0. India is 7-5 in matches now and will need to beat NZL 3-0 to get to 10-5 and advance over Korea on head-to-head.

Taiwan is 3-9 in matches now, and will finish 6-9 after playing POC, so they and 0-15 POC are eliminated now.

NZL is 2-2 and 5-7 n matches, so the best they can do is 8-7 and finish ahead of us at #3 with 3-0 win over us.

I need to know the tiebreaker for the 2nd spot. Do we need to only beat NZL 2-1 and finish at 3-2 in ties, or do we need to beat them 3-0? Head-to-head over Korea is what is fair, but that may not be the format... We may need to win 3-0 for head to head to kick in with a 3-2 finish and 10-5 match score.

(If it is not head to head, CHN can throw the doubles tie, and let KOR advance!)

[jayakris]

Nah, what I just said is not correct. Win tomorrow, and we will be 4-1 in ties and we will advance over 3-2 KOR. Lose tomorrow, and KOR will advance on 10-5 match score in a 3-way tie among IND, NZL and KOR with 3-2 records.

So, head-to-head and all does not matter. Just win tomorrow and we advance. Lose tomorrow and we stay in the 3rd/4th place. No relegation in any event.

[Dinesh]

Todays lineup shows:

Rutuja vs Monique Barry (632)
Ankita vs Lulu Sun (169)

Are we really going to trust Ankita in singles when we could field either one of Shrivalli or Sahaja?

[sameerph]

So, seems like no change from coach Shalini Thakur.

Rain stopped play with Rutuja leading 2-1 in first set.

This is the live stream link for today-

https://wx.vzan.com/live/page/571645837 ... &jumpitd=1