Fed Cup: Sania Mirza, Ankita Raina Help India Outplay Uzbekistan
Ankita Raina first won her singles match against Uzbekistan's Nigina Abduraimova, then teamed up with Sania Mirza to win her doubles match in the Fed Cup.
After two consecutive losses the Indian team finally tasted success in Fed Cup as it outplayed Uzbekistan 3-0 in Pool A with Ankita Raina winning both her singles and doubles matches in Hua Hin. (Fed Cup: Sania Mirza Loses in Doubles as India go Down to Japan)
Prerna Bhambri provided a solid start with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Sabina Sharipova in just 57 minutes as India took a 1-0 lead.
Ankita then sealed it for India with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Nigina Abduraimova in 59 minutes.
In the inconsequential doubles rubber, Ankita joined hands with world number one in doubles Sania Mirza to beat Akgul Amanmuradova and Arina Folts 6-2, 6-0 in mere 48 minutes.
"I had a lot of energy in my singles match today. More than yesterday. I was aggressive and did not give her any chance. Even when I was a game point down, I did not think of the score and continued being aggressive," Ankita said.
"And of course Prerna's win gave a lot of boost and I got pumped up. I had a different kind of energy and vibes today. I saw a different side of me."
Talking about her experience of playing with Sania for the first time, Ankita said, "When you have world number one, you need not worry.
"I was very motivated and excited and I could see it in my game," she said.
India, coached by Zeeahan Ali, had lost ties against hosts Thailand and Japan and will now try to win positional Play-off against Kazakhstan for fifth-sixth place finish.