India go down 1-2 to Thailand in rain-hit BJK Cup opener

Rutuja Bhosale and Ankita Raina salvaged some pride with a consolation win in the doubles after Sahaja Yamalapalli’s narrow defeat in the second singles as India went down against Thailand 1-2 in the rain-hit opening Asia/Oceania Group I tie of the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup on Wednesday.

A lot was riding on world number 384 Sahaja as she resumed the match after it was halted due to rain on Tuesday evening.

However, the 25-year-old could not keep India in the hunt, losing 4-6, 6-1, 4-6 to Patcharin, ranked 449, in a match that lasted two hours and 25 minutes.

Doubles pair of Bhosale and Raina then beat Thasaporn Naklo and Peangtarn Plipuech 6-3 6-4 in one hour and 11 minutes.

“We knew going into the match, Thailand is a very good team. We really have to play some good tennis. Unfortunately, we didn’t do what we needed to do and lost 2-0.

But nevertheless, it’s a good thing that we won the doubles because it’s still a long tournament ahead. And every win matters,” captain Vishal Uppal told reporters.

Earlier, resuming at 3-4 in the decider, Sahaja sent a forehand wide as Patcharin held serve to move 5-3 ahead.

The Indian then held her serve after a Patcharin backhand slice found the net, narrowing the gap to 4-5.