Ankita shines with two wins as Indian Fed Cup team creates Fed Cup history
Dubai: The Indian Fed cup team created history by progressing to the play-offs for the first time ever with Ankita Raina leading the side to a 2-1 win over Indonesia, here.
Ankita on Saturday night 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 play-offs 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, things began to improve.
Rutuja also played a key role as she provided winning starts in a few ties, sharing the burden with Ankita. Sania's return to Fed Cup after four years also helped as her inspirational presence and guidance helped the side immensely. India's non-playing captain Vishal Uppal is delighted with the result.
"It's a historic moment and to be part of it feels surreal. I am proud of each and every member of our team -- the players, physio, coach, manager. We all came together and worked towards a common goal," Uppal told PTI.
"I hope this win will give a big boost to women's tennis in India."
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Siddaramaiah challenges HC's order quashing his plea against Governor's nod for prosecution
Bengaluru: CM Siddaramaiah has appealed to the High Court questioning the Governor's permission to prosecution against him in the alleged MUDA scam, on Thursday.
The CM has approached a divisional bench of the court, questioning an earlier order passed by a single judge bench in the case.
The bench had upheld the decision of the governor's consent to prosecution, after hearing the CM's plea. It has rejected the application while declaring that the governor's consent had been legally valid.
The CM has now approached the divisional bench questioning the order of the single judge bench. The court is yet to hear the appeal.
