Sahaja and Vaishnavi help India to bounce back after Thai loss, thrash New Zealand 3-0

Hours after conceding their opening tie to Thailand, India, riding on Sahaja Yamalapalli and Vaishnavi Adkar’s straight sets victories, bounced back to a 2-0 win over New Zealand in their second Billie Jean King Cup Group I – Asia/Oceania fixture at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) Complex in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Representing India in the singles’ rubbers, 21-year-old Vaishnavi, who made her BJK Cup debut in the previous match, defeated New Zealand’s Aishi Das 6-2, 6-4. Sahaja then sealed the win with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Valentina Ivanov.

Ankita Raina and Rutuja Bhosale then wrapped up the clean sweep in the doubles rubber, defeating Monique Barry and Erin Routliffe 6-4, 6-2.

Showing no signs of any hangover from her opening-day defeat, Vaishnavi came out sharp, breaking Aishi early to move 2-0 ahead in the first singles rubber on Day 2. She tightened her grip with another break in the fifth game, shutting the door on any comeback and closing out the set 6-2 with authority.

Vaishnavi carried that momentum into the second set, striking early once again, though Aishi responded well to draw level at 4-4. The Indian, however, raised her level at the right moment, breaking decisively before serving out the match 6-2, 6-4 in an hour and 30 minutes.

Sahaja was dominant against Valentina

Sahaja was even more dominant in her outing against Valentina, racing through the opening set with three breaks of serve to seal it 6-1. She carried that same control into the second, dictating play from the baseline with authority and consistently pushing her opponent onto the back foot. With Valentina struggling to find answers, Sahaja maintained her intensity to wrap up a commanding 6-3 win.

India’s Sahaja Yamalapalli in action against Valentina Ivanov of New Zealand during the Billie Jean King Cup at the DLTA Complex in New Delhi on Wednesday. Pics: Rahul Goyal 

Earlier in the day, the Indians lost 2-1 against Thailand in a tie which was postponed midway after heavy rains on Tuesday. Thailand took a 1-0 lead after Anchisa Chanta upset Vaishnavi in the opening rubber. Patcharin Cheapchandej was leading Sahaja 6-4, 1-6, 4-3 when rain halted play on Tuesday.

After resumption on Wednesday, Sahaja saved a match point but eventually lost the match 6-4, 1-6, 6-4, handing the Thai team the tie.

Thailand take 1-0 lead over India as rain plays spoilsport in Billie Jean King Cup encounter

Ankita and Rutuja managed a consolation win in doubles, overpowering Thasaporn Naklo and Peangtarn Plipuech 6-3, 6-4 in straight sets to make the scoreline 2-1.

With one win and one loss under their belt, the Indians are set to face the Republic of Korea in their next BJKC tie on Thursday. They will also play Indonesia and Mongolia before the group concludes.

Indonesia, Korea maintain perfect start

Elsewhere, Korea Republic continued their perfect start, registering a solid win over Thailand with Daehyon Back and Sohyun Park delivering in the singles. Daehyon defeated Anchisa 6-3, 6-4 and Sohyun got the better of Patcharin 6-4, 6-1

Indonesia, meanwhile, surged to the top of the table with a dominant 3-0 win over Mongolia. Aldila Sutjiadi set the tone with a ruthless double bagel, dismantling Anu-Vjin Gantor 6-0, 6-0. Anjali Kirana Junarto then sealed the tie in the singles before returning alongside Meydiana Laviola Reinnamah to cap off a commanding day with another 6-0, 6-0 win in the doubles.

All six teams are competing in a round-robin format through Saturday, with the top two nations advancing to the next stage.

Results: India beat New Zealand 3-0 (Vaishnavi Adkar beat Aishi Das 6-2, 6-4; Sahaja Yamalapalli beat Valentina Ivanov 6-1, 6-3; Ankita Raina / Rutuja Bhosale beat Monique Barry / Erin Routliffe 6-4, 6-2).

Korea Republic beat Thailand 2-0 (Daehyon Back (KOR) beat Anchisa Chanta (THA) 6-3, 6-4; Sohyun Park (KOR) beat Patcharin Cheapchandej (THA) 6-4, 6-1).

Indonesia beat Mongolia 3-0 (Aldila Sutjiadi (INA) beat Anu-Vjin Gantor (MGL) 6-0, 6-0; Anjali Kirana Junarto (INA) beat Khongorzul Aldarkhishig (MGL) 6-2, 6-0; Anjali Kirana Junarto/Meydiana Laviola Reinnamah (INA) beat Jargal Altansarnai/Oyungerel Khasbaatar (MGL) 6-0, 6-0).