Fed Cup: India women go down to Kazakhstan

New Delhi: Ankita Raina notched up an impressive win over the experienced Yulia Putintseva but it wasn’t enough to inspire India as the hosts lost 1-2 to Kazakhstan in their Fed Cup tennis tie here on Thursday.

Karman Kaur Thandi lost the opening singles of the Asia/ Oceania Group I tie to Zarina Diyas 3-6, 2-6.

Ankita emerged a 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 win in two hours and 25 minutes against a player who was ranked as high as 27 last year, to put India level at 1-1.

However, doubles proved to be India’s weak link as Ankita and Prarthana Thombare lost 0-6, 4-6 to Diyas and Putintseva in the decisive match.
India went out of the World Group playoffs race after the defeat after losing to China on Wednesday. From Pool ‘A’, China or Kazakhstan will clash with winner of Pool ‘B’ for a place in the playoffs in April.

India will next face Hong Kong and will strive to maintain their place in the Asia/ Oceania Group I.