BJK Cup 2025: Shrivalli, Ankita Raina/Prarthana Thombare Steer India to Initial Victory
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On April 9 in Pune, the Indian team achieved its first victory in the Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group 1 by defeating Thailand 2-1, with impressive performances from Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Ankita Raina, and Prarthana Thombare.
Key Takeaways
- Shrivalli Bhamidipaty shines with a strong win.
- Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare secure the doubles victory.
- Sahaja Yamalapalli fights hard but retires injured.
- India will face Hongkong, China next.
- The tournament is supported by the Sports Authority of India.
Pune, April 9 (NationPress) The Indian squad marked its debut in the Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group 1, achieving a 2-1 triumph over Thailand in the second match of the tournament hosted by MSLTA in collaboration with ITF, AITA, and PMDTA at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune on Wednesday.
Shrivalli Bhamidipaty set the stage for the home team with a convincing victory, followed by the seasoned pair of Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare, who assisted India in registering its first win in the tournament.
Shrivalli Bhamidipaty continued her strong performance from day one, delivering another impressive display against Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee. In just her second match representing India, she dominated her opponent in one hour and 15 minutes, winning decisively with scores of 6-2, 6-4, thus giving India a 1-0 advantage in the tie against Thailand.
The following match featured Sahaja Yamalapalli facing off against Mananchaya Sawangkaew, resulting in a thrilling contest. Both players showcased exceptional tennis skills.
Mananchaya staged a comeback to clinch the first set 6-3, but Sahaja displayed remarkable resilience, bouncing back to secure the second set 7-6 [7-3]. However, while trailing in the final set, the young Indian talent had to retire due to injury, bringing the exciting match to a close after 2 hours and 23 minutes and leveling the tie at 1-1.
With everything on the line in the doubles matchup, the experienced Indian duo of Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare outperformed Thailand's Peangtarn Plipuech and Patcharin Cheapchandej.
The Indians secured the first set but stumbled in the second. Yet, they delivered a remarkable performance in the tie-break, clinching the victory in the super tie-break with a score of 7-6, 3-6, 10-3 in 1 hour and 55 minutes.
The Indian team is set to face Hongkong, China in their upcoming match in the Billie Jean King Cup on Thursday (April 10). The tournament is supported by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Welfare (Maharashtra).
Other results:
New Zealand defeated Korea Republic: 2-1.
Sohyun Park (KOR) triumphed over Renne Zhang (NZL): 6-1, 6-0 (45 mins)
Lulu Sun (NZL) defeated Dayeon Black (KOR): 6-4, 6-1 (1 hr 23 mins)
Lulu Sun and Monique Barry (NZL) overcame Eunhye Lee: 6-3, 4-6, 10-8 [Tie break] (1 hr 26 mins)
Hong Kong defeated Chinese Taipei 2-1
Ho Ching Wu (HKG) won against Ya-Hsuan Lee (TPE): 7-5, 6-3 (1 hr 21 mins)
Joanna Garland (TPE) defeated Hong Yi Cody Wong (KOR): 6-4, 6-3 (1 hr 24 mins)
Hong Yi Cody Wong and Eudice Chong (HKG) claimed victory over Fang-Hsien Wu and Yi Tsen Cho (TPE): 6-7, 7-6, 10-7 [Tie break] (2hrs 28 mins)
