Ankita, Karman seal India’s win over Hong Kong in Fed Cup

Karman struggled to contain her unforced errors but prevailed 6-3 6-4 over Eudice Chong to give India a 1-0 lead in the Asia/Oceania Group I matches. Up against a lower-ranked opponent, placed a humble 761 in the WTA list, Karman snapped a fourmatch losing streak. The last time she won a Fed Cup match was exactly a year back when she travelled to Astana, Kazakhstan. 

Ankita, who has impressed with her inspirational performance against higher-ranked players, then overcame Ling Zhang 6-3 6-2 to seal India’s first win of the 2018 season. In the inconsequential doubles, Prarthana Thombare and Pranjala Yadlapalli defeated Kwan Yau Ng and Ching Hu Wu 6-2- 6-4. The last time India won a tie 3-0 was in February 2016, against Kazakhstan in Thailand. 

On Saturday, India will play Chinese Taipei, the fourth-placed team in Pool B in the relegation Play-off. The winner will remain in Group I and the loser will be relegated to Group II. The last time India played Chinese Taipei was in February 2011 in Thailand and lost 1-2. 

Despite playing some energy-sapping matches in the last two days, Ankita did not let the intensity drop as she kept grinding from the baseline and found some delightful winners. 

She did not lose a single point on her serve in the first two games and after breaking Zhang in the fourth game, Ankita staved off four breakpoints in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. The break stayed with her as she closed the set in the ninth. Zhang, ranked 331, also returned well.