Billie Jean King Cup (previously Fed Cup) - India

[jayakris]

Damn, that was an opportunity lost by us and sad that it is due to Ankita who has bailed us out so many times in the past in the Fed cup. Unfortunately, Ankita has been badly out of form for last few months, or maybe age is catching up with her. Whatever it, I agree that in rest of the matches we need to put faith on younger ones - Sahaja and Shrivalli.

Gosh, I am still mad. Taiwan had handed over the tie on a platter to us with their line-up change, and we said no thank you. Why Ankita, why??

[Atithee]

Atithee theory at play here? Hint—it’s about a big change in personal life.

[jayakris]

It is Ankita and Prarthana in doubles.

[jayakris]

Atithee theory at play here? Hint—it’s about a big change in personal life.

Yes it is. I don't remember any Indian player who got married, who was not affected by it negatively. Almost nobody comes back to top form after that. A comeback much later, like in Bops case, is possible, but normally it is downhill after marriage.

[Atithee]

Cha Ching. My theory actually is that when a player gets married, they are at peak to cash in on their success. Not literally and it applies to both men and women. It’s actually an acknowledgment by the player that I’m done and will go downhill from here on. They just know.

[jayakris]

Meanwhile, Ankita has started horribly in doubles too. Prarthana saved her at a break pt with a great net shot but the Taiwanese are killing us.

1-3 down a break, after Ankita stands like a statue when the shots fly around... Prarthana too good at the next on two points and we get 15-40 3BP. Ankita singles handedly messed up two of them (the lob return attempt at the weak 30-40 serve was mindbogglingly bad. what the hell are you doing AR?)... She tried her level best to hit out a winner at the no-AD bp, but thankfully it hit the line, so we get a break back. 2-3 and serving.

[Atithee]

It is Ankita and Prarthana in doubles.

Is it the same lady who beat Ankita playing in doubles too?

[Atithee]

Meanwhile, Ankita has started horribly in doubles too. Prarthana saved her at a break pt with a great net shot but the Taiwanese are killing us.

1-3 down a break, after Ankita stands like a statue when the shots fly around.

I see a bit more spunk in the Indian pair than what was almost none in singles from Ankita.

Edit—a lot more. Especially from PT.

[Atithee]

What’s with that happy birthday song playing in a loop in the background. It’s annoying to me; don’t know how it’s impacting the players.

[jayakris]

Is it the same lady who beat Ankita playing in doubles too?

Yes. She superbly crafty and skilled.

[jayakris]

Finally Ankita plays a couple of good points and we get a break back again. 3-4 and serving.

[jayakris]

What’s with that happy birthday song playing in a loop in the background. It’s annoying to me; don’t know how it’s impacting the players.

Horribly annoying. How come the players are not complaining?

I can't believe that net mistake on a ready-to-kill ball just now at 30-15 on our serve, by Ankita. What is wrong, lady? Play tennis, will you?.. OK, a nice BH Overhead by her. 40-30. We hold 4-4. Actually playing quite well now... Now 4-5

From 30-30 on our serve, Ankita misses two shots, and we lose the set. 4-6 0-0

[Atithee]

Isn’t the other Taipei lady a multi-slam doubles winner? Doesn’t look that intimidating.

[jayakris]

Yes, she is. World #1 Su-Wei Hsieh!! ... We have neutralized her quite well, and are actually playing very well. Ankita is still not at her best, but Prarthana is hardly making mistakes. The exchange between Su-wei and Ankita at 30-30 was of high-quality, but unfortunately Ankita's nice reflex dig-shot at the end went a little bit too long. That point took care of the set.

[jayakris]

Ankita has now lost three 4-6 sets in a row in singles and doubles with late set breaks. Hopefully her fortunes will change this set.

And we save a BP and stay alive at 1-1... Then two great points played by Ankita and a super return from prarthana, followed by a netted shot from Hsieh, and we break the world #1's serve. That was nice!! 2-1 up and serving.

We save 3 BPs from 15-40 and hold to 3-1 ... Serious OOMPH from Prarthana and that is getting Ankita into the right mood too. This is some fun doubles tennis though. Some great points played by both teams.