Five years after playing a sterling role in partnership with Sania Mirza, Ankita Raina did it once again, in taking India to the Billie Jean King Cup World Group play-off by winning the decisive doubles against Korea in the last league match in partnership with Prarthana Thombare.
In 2020, Ankita had won the decisive doubles rubber against Indonesia to see India qualify as the second team behind China. Ankita had won three doubles matches then with Sania, apart from most of her singles matches when the event was called the FedCup.
This time around, captain Vishal Uppal opted to preserve the No. 1 player in the team, Ankita, for the doubles for all five league matches. It was a brilliant fare that Ankita and Prarthana unleashed against Sohyun Park and Kim Dabin, for a memorable finish for the host.
Vishal had played a key role in making a plan and executing it nicely with the combined effort of the team.
“I am ecstatic at having achieved our “ lakshya” again. I have believed in these girls for a while now and they have further strengthened my resolve by this performance”, said Vishal, who was the captain in 2020 as well.
He was particularly pleased to achieve the qualification on home soil, and share the joy with “fellow Indians”.
The captain trusted the younger players with the load of tackling all singles matches, preserving Ankita for the decisive doubles.
“I studied the other teams when they were announced and saw the strengths of our team, and how we could use that tactically against each individual team. I felt we needed the firepower of the youth for singles, and for the crucial doubles, we needed the most experienced to handle the extra pressure. I am very happy that the plan worked,” observed Vishal.
After Vaidehi Chaudhari had won two singles matches, Vishal opted to bring back Sahaja Yamalapalli to play the second singles as No.1, playing Shrivalli Bhamidipaty in the first singles as No.2, against Korea.
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“That was tactical. I felt Shrivalli vs Park was a better match-up for us. It also made Park very tired for doubles, which eventually worked in our favour,” said Vishal.
Shrivalli won against Park in a three-hour battle of wits, blasting her way out of trouble, and sustaining her explosive game till the end. Shrivalli had in fact won all her five singles matches, and two of them against No.1 singles opponents.
“Shrivalli had a fantastic week. She has a big game and needs to continuously work on becoming tougher tactically, mentally and physically. She is a free stroking player and does her best when she is committed to swinging freely,” said Vishal.
The team will have a few months to get ready for the World Group play-off.
“I hope our players make themselves tougher physically and tactically. And also understand the importance of the mental game,” he said.
It was enjoyable tennis for everyone as the matches started at 3.30 p.m. on all five days at the Balewadi Stadium, making it easier not only for the players “but also for the captains”.
A big supporter of Indian women’s tennis, as he keeps hosting international events at his academy in Gurugram every year, Vishal said that he would dedicate the win to “all the young girls who aspire to pursue their dreams”.
His message for the whole of India is, “Our girls have a lot of potential to become world beaters. It is about time we started backing them”.
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