Fed Cup: Sania Mirza Loses in Doubles as India go Down to Japan

Sania Mirza suffered a rare defeat in doubles as India lost their Group A Fed Cup contest 1-2 to Japan, despite Ankita Raina's stunning win over world No. 56 Nao Hibino, here on Thursday. (Read more tennis stories here)

Ankita, India's number one singles player at 307, took the court after Prarthana Thombare had lost the opening singles. Battling the odds, Ankita toppled Hibino 6-3, 6-1 .

Prarthana, ranked as low as 523, had lost tamely 2-6, 1-6 to Eri Hozumi, placed 206, as India trailed 0-1.

Ankita though drew parity for Indian with her shock win. India, at that point, had a real chance to upset the fancied Japan with having world number one player in Sania in the team.

However, Sania and Prarthana lost 5-7, 3-6 to the pairing of Shuko Aoyama and Hozumi. Aoyana was ranked as high as 31 in the doubles in 2013.

With Sania in the side, who has not lost a match since US Open in 2015 and has weaved an incredible 36-match winning streak, India had a great chance to beat Japan. India lost to hosts Thailand 0-3 on Wednesday and now they are out of the reckoning for the Play-offs for the World Group II. India will take on Uzbekistan in their last Group engagement on Friday.