Fed Cup: Ankita wins but India lose to Kazakhstan

Indian tennis player Ankita Raina displayed an immense form to win her singles encounter, but her efforts went in vain as India lost 2-1 to Kazakhstan in the Pool A tie of the Federation Cup here on Thursday.

Raina leveled India to 1-1 after Kamran Kaur Thandi lost her respective singles match. However, India eventually lost the tie with the decisive doubles defeat.

Riana overcame Yulia Putintseva 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 in a hard fought battle, which lasted for over two hours and 25 minutes.

In the decisive doubles, the duo of Anita and Prarthana Thombare were defeated 0-6, 4-6 by the team of Diyas and Putintseva.

Earlier, Thandi lost her opening singles of the Asia/Oceania Group I tie to world number 55 Zarina Diyas.

With this defeat from Kazakhstan, India are out of the World Group Play-offs.

It will be either China or Kazakhstan from Pool A to clash with winner of Pool B for a place in the Play-off, which is slated to be held in April.

Earlier on the opening day of the Asia/Oceania Group I competition, India lost 1-2 to China.

They will next face Hong Kong to fight for their place in the Asia/Oceania Group I.