In the long running premier international women’s tennis tournament Fed Cup, India has just reached a milestone, as the Indian Women tennis team has just has made history by making it through the Qualifying Round of the 2020 Fed Cup. The leading lady for India’s entry into playoffs is none other than the superstar tennis player Ankita Raina, who’s stunning singles victory over Indonesia’s Aldila Sutjiadi and a doubles win along with the legendary Sania Mirza has marked India’s first play off entry into the Fed Cup playoffs, which will kick off later in April.
On Saturday night in Dubai, Ankita Raina pulled off a marvellous win over Sutjiadi, which equalled India’s score 1-1 against Indonesia, the latter who were on the lead after Rutuja Bhosale failed to secure a victory against the young Priska Madelyn Nugroho.
Nugroho is ranked 15th on the ITF junior circuit, and the youngster started the first set 6-3. Although Rutuja came back with a superb 6-0 in the second set, the 16 year old Indonesian sealed another 6-3 win in the third set, setting themselves 1-0 in the lead against India.
However, it was Raina’s marvellous spell that helped India equalise the scoreline, leading India’s comeback with a win in the second match. The 27 year old landed two back to back set wins of 6-3, 6-3 against Sutjiadi, getting India 1-1 against Indonesia.
In the doubles match, Raina paired up with India’s iconic veteran Snaia Mirza, as the ladies thrashed the Indonesian duo of Sutziyadi and Nugroho 7-6(4), 6-0. Winning the bout against Indonesia 2-1, India entered the Fed Cup playoffs for the first time in history.
“It’s a historic moment and to be part of it feels surreal,” India’s non-playing skipper Vishal Uppal said in the post match interview with PTI.
“I am proud of each and every member of our team — the players, physio, coach, manager. We all came together and worked towards a common goal,” Uppal added.
Mirza, who returned to the Fed Cup following a four year gap, provided the momentum to Raina as they crushed the Indonesian duo in the doubles face off.
Following the historical victory, Mirza took it to social media to express her joy on their remarkable achievement in the tournament.
“These are the moments we work all our lives for 🇮🇳 what an incredible team effort … world group play offs here we come for the first time ever” the 33 year old tweeted.
These are the moments we work all our lives for 🇮🇳 what an incredible team effort … world group play offs here we come for the first time ever .. @FedCup pic.twitter.com/RXaNJKLecS
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) March 8, 2020
Following the defeat against China in the first match of the tournament, the win over Indonesia was India’s fourth consecutive group stage win, as they finished second in the group. The ladies will now face either Latvia or the Netherlands in the playoffs in April.
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