Billie Jean King Cup (previously Fed Cup) - India

[jayakris]

But it does not look like a very difficult thing to beat NZL on day 5. I would rather not be under pressure going into that match though. NZL just losing 0-3 to TPE and we getting at least one win on Korea would eliminate them, and we don't have to be under pressure to beat them, and just need one win against them even in a loss.

Yeah we need one win tomorrow and one win on the final day. Or two wins on the final day. Either would do.

[sameerph]

Yes, probably we still need to beat NZ to make sure not to get relagated. But, the player who has been playing #2 for them is ranked below 900 in WTA rankings. So, that is 1 easy match for us against them and than win 1 of the other 2 matches where we would be 50-50 at worst. So, that looks a very winnable tie.

Not so sure about Korea. Our players really need to play at their best to have a chance to beat Korea.

[jayakris]

But advancing is also quite possible, just as relegation is!!

If we beat Korea tomorrow, we will advance, as we will most probably beat NZL in the end and KOR will surely lose to China. It sounds simple. Just get two wins on Korea tomorrow to win the tie. Keep Ankita and Prarthana to beat them in doubles, and let us roll the dice with the two singles matches. Get one win out of those two, and we will almost surely advance after the NZL tie!

[jayakris]

But look at this doubles score from the NZL-CHN tie today. That shocks me.

Hanyu Guo / Xinyu Wang CHN d. Erin Routliffe / Lulu Sun 6-4 4-6 (14-12)

Erin and Lulu had not played doubles in the first two ties, I think. So NZL does have a quality doubles team if they send these two in, which they may do against us in the final match if it comes down to that for relegation or advancement for us. I think it can! Win it and we advance with a 3-2 record; lose it and we get relegated in a 3-way tie at 2-3. But we better not count on that 3rd match win against NZL if the above pair plays. One of the two singles wins against NZL is possible though. Again it comes down to the importance of getting at least one win against Korea. We *must* get the doubles point tomorrow. Keep Ankita and Prarthana for that.

Hell, I didn't realize earlier what a big mess we would have been in, had PT/AR not converted the final 3 points, saving a match point on the TPE serve. Phew

[arjun2761]

Wow, great to see the doubles win by Ankita and Prarthana. I went to sleep as they lost the first set thinking it was all over. Pleasantly surprised to see that they came back to win.

[jayakris]

^^^ It really turned out as a "pulsating encounter," like the newspapers would say... after it all looked like a silent funeral march for the previous 3 sets that Ankita had lost 46 46 46 in singles and doubles. Prarthana decided to take over the match, and got Ankita to stop thinking of family life and what breakfast to ask her husband to make. Loud communications in Hindi from Prarthana, and even smiles finally broke out on Ankita's face (maybe her husband makes bad food and she had to get that out of her mind to enjoy tennis? )... They suddenly started playing some tennis! Some serious doubles with hot shots and lobs and volleys and digs. Damn, it was fun to watch. Both teams were refusing to give an inch, and our pair hung on by the skin of their teeth for a win, fighting off multiple match points on the other team's serve.

[Atithee]

We must credit Ankita for regrouping and coming back on the courts right after her singles loss. It isn’t easy and she proved again that she’s a fighter. Of course, PT deserves the credit for leading the dogfight. You could see the intensity that was missing. Small body language things like fist bumps, signs behind the back, midpoint discussions, foot tapping, etc. are indicative of the intensity level. Well done, ladies.

[arjun2761]

I believe it is now between India and Korea to be second team to advance. On paper, we have a decent matchup with them although they (the Koreans) appear to be in better form.

[jayakris]

Nothing original from Shalini Thakur. It is Rutuja at #2 (against Korea's proper #2 SoHyun) and Ankita at #1 (against their proper #1 SuJeong) for singles today. Prarthana and Shrivalli for doubles (which I think can be changed)

Damn, why can't we do anything with a plan?? None of what we said above seems to be in this coach's mind. Just push an out of form Ankita to death, and that is all she is doing. We will have nothing left tomorrow against NZL if we run into trouble. Ankita/Prarthana is our best doubles team. They should be playing the second match today.

Just hope that we can win two matches in singles on Korea and take care of business.

Here is the live stream - https://wx.vzan.com/live/page/176487208 ... &jumpitd=1

[jayakris]

Strong start with two breaks by Rutuja. 5-1. And she takes the set 6-2

Up a break again in the first game.., Now 62 20 ... 3-1

[Atithee]

What a difference in the body language and intensity today from Rutuja. Good going.

[jayakris]

^^^ Yeah. Rutuja feels quite comfortable on clay, and it shows.

62 32 and serving... This is the key game to press the pedal down and keep advantage. Coach should be talking to Rutuja right here and pumping her up to stay focused, but she is not. Anyway, Rutuja doesn't seem to need it, and plays beautifully at the net to go 40-0 and stay ahead. 62 42

Haha... 8 straight points from Rutuja after I said that. Coach Thakore knows better than me, to shut up and let Rutuja stay in her zone. 62 52 and serving. Rutuja has effortlessly made the opponents look incapable of doing anything, in all three matches so far.

11 shot rally and an inside out FH winner at 40-30 match pt... 62 62 Rutuja wins!

[jayakris]

That is the first match that Korea is losing, after their 9-0 start. Now they have to win 2 against us to have a chance to advance to playoffs (expecting them to lose to china tomorrow and us to beat NZL; the latter is not a given)...

[sameerph]

Excellent work by Rutuja to thrash a player ranked close to 300 . She looks in great form here

Now hope for Ankita to close it out here.

[jayakris]

Ankita quickly down a break 0-2. We should have sent Sahaja in for this match and kept Ankita fresh for doubles. Come on coach!!

Hope she gets back into it. She often does.... And she does. Breaks back. 1-2 and serving. Broken again ... Now serving at 1-4.. Finally holds at 30... 2-4

Horrible tennis from Ankita again. Why is she out there playing. JESUS. Frustrating. Has no energy at all, and she gives up on points way too soon. Absolutely no confidence. Drops serve with two terrible points at 30-30... Set gone. 2-6

Shalini Thakur should be sent packing. Mindless bullshit.