India remains in Group I of Billie Jean King Cup 2024 after defeat to New Zealand

Ankita Raina’s singles loss, doubles defeat dash India’s hopes despite Rutuja Bhosale’s win.

The Indian women’s tennis team came agonizingly close to securing a historic place in the Billie Jean King Cup 2024 playoffs but fell short after a 1-2 defeat against New Zealand in their final Asia/Oceania Group I tie at the Moon Island Clay Park in Changsha on Saturday.

India had high hopes of making the cut for the playoffs for the first time after Rutuja Bhosale gave them a 1-0 lead by defeating Monique Barry 6-2, 7-6(5) in the opening singles rubber. However, Ankita Raina couldn’t sustain the momentum, losing 2-6, 0-6 to the higher-ranked Lulu Sun in the second singles match.

With the tie delicately poised at 1-1, the decisive doubles rubber became a virtual play-off qualifier for India. But the pair of Raina and Prarthana Thombare couldn’t rise to the occasion, going down 1-6, 5-7 to the Kiwi duo of Paige Hourigan and Erin Routliffe after a hard-fought battle lasting one hour and 27 minutes.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, India’s third-place finish in the six-team Group I ensures they will continue to compete in the same group next year. China and Korea Republic clinched the two available promotion spots to the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs, while New Zealand finished fourth. Chinese Taipei and Pacific Oceania were relegated to Asia/Oceania Group II.

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For India, the journey in Changsha began with a 3-0 win over Pacific Oceania, followed by a 2-1 victory against Chinese Taipei. Their hopes were dented by a 3-0 loss to China before a 2-1 win over Korea Republic set up the decisive clash with New Zealand.

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