The Indian women’s tennis team started its Billie Jean King Cup 2025 Asia-Oceania Group I campaign with a 2-1 defeat against New Zealand on Tuesday at the Deccan Gymkhana in Pune.
India took the lead early in the tie, thanks to a strong performance from Shrivalli Bhamidipaty. Ranked No. 316 in the world, Shrivalli comfortably beat New Zealand’s Aishi Das 6-1, 6-1 in just 57 minutes, giving India a 1-0 advantage.
However, New Zealand quickly responded. In the second singles match, world No. 45 Lulu Sun overpowered India’s Sahaja Yamalapalli, who is also ranked 316, with a 6-3, 6-3 win. Sahaja held on early but lost her serve twice in the first set and once in the second, allowing Lulu to level the tie.
With the score tied at 1-1, the outcome came down to the doubles match. India’s Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare, the country’s top-ranked doubles player at No. 140, took on New Zealand’s Monique Barry and Lulu Sun.
The Indian pair lost serve in the very first game and couldn’t recover, dropping the first set 6-3. The second set was more competitive, with multiple service breaks on both sides. Ankita and Prarthana lost their serve three times but broke their opponents twice. In the end, the New Zealand duo held firm to win the set 6-4 and seal the match, despite India saving three match points.
India is placed in Group I of the Asia-Oceania zone along with New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand.
The Indian team will next face Thailand in their second tie on Wednesday.
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