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Ankita Raina led India to a 3-0 win over hosts Uzbekistan in their second tie of the Billie Jean King Tennis Cup 2023 Asia/Oceania Group I tennis tournament in Tashkent on Wednesday.
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Rutuja Bhosale came back from a set down to beat Sabrina Olimjanova 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 in the opening singles of Billie Jean King Tennis Cup. While in the second singles match, experienced Ankita Raina didn't break a sweat to see off Sevil Yuldasheva 6-4, 6-2. Sevil Yuldasheva was Uzbekistan's highest-ranked player for the tie in the absence of world No. 186 Nigina Abduraimova.
In the first set, both players broke the serves of their opponents twice till the eighth game to be level at 4-4. Ankita Raina got her third break in the ninth game. She went on to take a 1-0 lead despite squandering six of the nine breakpoint opportunities in the first set. The second set was a more straightforward affair for the Indian tennis player. Raina took a 4-0 lead upfront. After that, she held her serves to win the match in one hour and 19 minutes.
After that, the doubles pair of Sahaja Yamlapalli and Vaidehi Chaudhari put up a dominating performance to win a crucial clean slate against Uzbekistan teenagers Ominahon Valihanova and Maftunabonu Kahramonova 6-1, 6-0.
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The win has taken India to the top of the Group 1 standings along with Japan, with three matches to play at the Billie Jean King Tennis Cup. Earlier, India beat Thailand 2-1 on Tuesday with strong performances from Ankita in singles and doubles. On Thursday, India will take on China, followed by matches against South Korea and Japan.
The top two teams of the Billie Jean King Tennis Cup will advance to the playoff stage. While the fifth and sixth-placed teams will advance to Group Two. The third and fourth-placed teams will retain their places in Group 1.