India loses 2-1 to New Zealand in Billie Jean King Cup opener; Shrivalli defeats Aishi Das
Ranvir Singh
Pune: India made a promising start to its Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group 1 campaign against New Zealand. The hosts began strong, with Shrivalli Bhamidipaty securing a dominant win in the first match. However, New Zealand staged a comeback and clinched the tie 2-1 at the Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Complex in Pune.
India’s Shrivalli Bhamidipaty faced Aishi Das in the opening singles match. The young Indian, who has been steadily rising in the rankings, delivered an impressive performance for the national team. Shrivalli wrapped up the match in just under an hour, serving six aces and displaying excellent break-point conversion. She won convincingly 6-1, 6-1, giving India a 1-0 lead in the tie.
In the second singles match, Sahaja Yamalapalli took on New Zealand’s experienced Lulu Sun. The Indian youngster faced a tough challenge as her opponent used her power and court sense wisely. The match lasted one hour and 13 minutes, with Lulu Sun making Sahaja work hard for every point. Ultimately, Sun won 6-3, 6-3, leveling the tie at 1-1.
In the deciding doubles match, India’s seasoned duo Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare faced the Kiwi pair of Lulu Sun and Monique Barry. The Indian pair gave a valiant effort under the floodlights but were outplayed by the New Zealanders. Although Raina and Thombare fought bravely, they were never quite in control of the match. New Zealand sealed the tie with a 6-3, 6-4 straight-sets win in one hour and 23 minutes.
Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by former Fed Cup player Radhika Tulpule-Kanitkar, Sohini Kumari, Sowjanya Bavisetti, Pranjala Yadlapalli, Sai Jayalakshmi, Arati Ponappa Natekar, Maharashtra’s international tennis player Bela Phadke, Radhika Mandke, and Sheetal Kannamwar Iyer.
On the occasion, Maharashtra’s international players Rutuja Bhosale, Radhika Godbole, Bela Phadke, Vaishnavi Adkar, and Sheetal Kannamwar Iyer were also felicitated.
MSLTA Chairman Bharat Oza, Tournament Director and MSLTA Honorary Secretary Sunder Iyer, Treasurer Sudhir Bhivapurkar, Joint Secretary Rajeev Desai, Sheetal Bhosale, and CEO Manoj Vaidya presented the awards.
Earlier, Tournament Director Sunder Iyer delivered the welcome speech. The official opening ceremony featured a march-past by players carrying their national flags—a beautiful moment on Center Court as all the teams came together before the start of the tournament.
India will next face Thailand on Wednesday, April 9, in their second match of the Billie Jean King Cup.