BJK Cup: Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare help India edge Thailand in Asia-Oceania Group 1 tie

PUNE: Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare pulled off the decisive doubles rubber to help India pip Thailand 2-1 in their second match of the Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group 1 women’s team tennis competition on Wednesday. The Indians overcame Peangtarn Plipuech and Patcharin Cheapchandej 7-6 (3), 3-6, 10-3 to help the hosts register their first win of the competition at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Mhalunge-Balewadi, Pune. Shrivalli Rashmikaa once again put the team in front as she beat a higher-ranked Lanlana Tararudee 6-2, 6-4 but Sahaja Yamalapalli conceded the second singles against Mananchaya Sawangkaew due to cramps one game into the third set. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!With temperatures running in excess of 40 degrees Celsius for the fourth successive day, it was a gallant effort from Sahaja to level the scores 3-6, 7-6 (3). But the fightback in energy sapping conditions took a toll and the 24-year-old, writhing in pain, was helped off the centre court after two hours and 18 minutes of gruelling duel. “She is fit; we will see to it that she is ready tomorrow,” captain Vishaal Uppal said. India take on Hong Kong on Thursday. In the other matches, New Zealand beat South Korea 2-1 and Hong Kong upset Chinese Taipei 2-1. Shrivalli demonstrated her growing confidence while giving a winning start to the Indian team. The Hyderabad girl — with a smooth serving action and fluid, strong ground strokes on both the flanks — broke Tararudee twice in both the sets, although in different circumstances. Shrivalli — ranked 345th in the world, which is nearly 190 spots lower than her rival — nudged ahead 4-2 in the first set when Tararudee double-faulted on second breakpoint. The Thai saved the first one with an ace down Shrivalli’s backhand before the latter set up another chance with an accurate service return that landed right at Tararudee’s feet. Tararudee, impressive with her accuracy and placement, upped her intensity in the following game, pulling Shrivalli wide and opening up the court. But the Indian did well to hold off the challenge. Shrivalli rode on the momentum to close the set in the 10th game when Tararudee put an overhead smash into the net on breakpoint. The 23-year-old Indian dropped serve in the opening game of the second set against the run of play and it seemed Tararudee, world No. 166, had taken control of the proceedings for a while. Shrivalli then turned it around brilliantly when, trailing 2-4, took the next four games in a row to clinch the match. The focus then shifted on Sahaja, who ran away to a 3-0 lead.