India on the cusp of historic maiden Fed Cup Play-Offs spot

Rutuja, Ankita and Sania star in India’s third consecutive win at Asia/Oceania Group I event

The Indian Fed Cup team produced an impressive victory over Chinese Taipei to remain within the touching distance of creating history as they collected their third win in as many days at the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tournament being held in Dubai, UAE.

Top two nations from the group of six will advance to the Play-Offs which are scheduled to be held from 17-18 April.

In the match against Chinese Taipei, Rutuja Bhosale won her third consecutive singles rubber of the tournament while the Sania Mirza-Ankita Raina pairing completed the win in the deciding doubles rubber on day four of the competition.

En Shuo Liang, all of 19, completed an impressive come-from-behind victory in the second singles rubber and handed Ankita Raina, top ranked Indian in the world (160), another loss at the Fed Cup.

After the initial loss to China, who have gone undefeated in the tournament, team India have played relentless tennis to maintain the second position in the round-robin league standings with one match to go against Indonesia today.

23-year-old Bhosale, playing against an inspired 15-year-old Ya Yi Yang of Chinese Taipei had to save three match points before finishing the two hours and 44 minutes long match at 6-3, 3-6, 7-6.

In the second rubber of the match, Raina was unable to capitalize on the advantage of winning the first set and lost the rubber to Liang 6-3, 2-6, 3-6.

In the deciding doubles rubber, fortunes swung both ways before Mirza-Raina ensured an India win as they beat En Shuo Liang and Latisha Chan 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours and 24 minutes.

Indonesia will be the final frontier for India to pass as they aim to make it to the maiden Play-Offs appearance in India’s Fed Cup history.

(Round-robin League Standings below)