Asia-Oceania Billie Jean King Cup women’s tennis competition at the Balewadi Stadium on Friday, Lulu Sun and Monique Barry secured New Zealand’s qualifying by defeating Thailand in their singles matches, marking the team’s fourth consecutive win in as many games.
Patcharin Cheapchandej lost to Monique Barry in straight sets, and Lulu Sun had to fight through three sets against the courageous Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
India defeated Taiwan to keep them in the chase, along with Thailand and Korea, while the Kiwis gained an unbeatable 4-0 lead at the top of the six-team competition.
After India’s 1-2 setback to New Zealand, Vaidehi Chaudhari and Shrivalli Bhamidipaty confidently and tenaciously won their singles matches to guarantee the country’s third victory. With a 6-2, 5-4 lead and the match served, Vaidehi let the opening singles match drag into the third set against Fang An LIn.
But she prevailed in the final thanks to her great play. In this competition, Shrivalli has been outstanding. She defeated Joanna Garland, who had just pushed the top-50 Lulu Sun to three sets the day before, with a strong performance to earn her fourth consecutive win.
Before the strongly built Joanna brought the match to life by forcing the second set into the tie-break after trailing 3-5, Shrivalli controlled the pace of the play with her huge serves and punchy, conviction-filled strokes. Despite the few mistakes and thrilling rallies, Shrivalli remained unfazed and went on to defeat Joanna, ranked 207th, 6-2, 7-6(3).
Even though every rubber, set, and game could determine the teams’ final rankings, the doubles was then of academic relevance. With three victories from four games, India may be just behind the Kiwis at the top, but Thailand and Korea, who have each won two games thus far, have the firepower to overcome them on Saturday.
The League’s Results:
Thailand defeated New Zealand 2-1 (Monique Barry defeated Patcharin Cheapchandej 7-5, 6-2; Lulu Sun defeated Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4, 3-6, 6-3; Thasaporn Naklo defeated Renee Zhang and Sasha Situe 3-6, 3-6).
