Fed Cup: Double delight for Ankita Raina as India beat Indonesia to qualify for playoffs for first time

Dubai: The Indian Fed Cup team on Saturday created history by earning a promotion to the playoffs for the first time ever with Ankita Raina leading the side to 2-1 win over Indonesia. [caption id=“attachment_7195061” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Ankita Raina. Reuters[/caption] Ankita Raina pulled off a crucial singles win against talented Aldila Sutjiadi to lock the tie 1-1 after Rutuja Bhosale suffered a crushing defeat against an unranked Priska Madelyn Nugroho. Up against the 16-year-old Indonesian, who is ranked 15th on the ITF junior circuit, Rutuja lost 3-6, 6-0, 3-6 in one hour and 43 minutes in the opening singles. Ankita, who lost her previous two singles, demolished the challenge of talented Aldila Sutjiadi 6-3, 6-3 in the second rubber. She then combined with seasoned Sania Mirza to beat Sutziyadi and Nugroho 7-6(4), 6-0 to seal India’s place in the playoffs where they will take on either Latvia or the Netherlands in April. They overcame a sluggish start as they were trailing 1-4 but regrouped to dominate the decisive set. India finished second in the six-team Group with four wins in a row after losing the opening tie to China, who remained unbeaten in the tournament. Since earning their place back in Asia/Oceania Group I in 2016, India remained in the regional group. With the rise of Ankita Raina, things began to improve. Rituja Bhosale also played a key role in India’s team as she provided winning starts in a few ties, sharing the burden with Ankita. Sania Mizra’s return to Fed Cup after four years also helped the team as her inspirational presence and guidance helped the side immensely.