Ankita, Rutuja go down fighting, India lose to China in Fed Cup

Dubai, March 3

Putting up a gutsy show, Ankita Raina gave a scare to world No. 29 Qiang Wang after Rutuja Bhosale suffered a defeat in the first singles as India lost their Fed Cup tie against China after conceding an unassailable 0-2 lead here today.

Rutuja lost 4-6 2-6 to world No. 35 Shuai Zhang in the first singles. The onus to bring the team back into the contest was on India No. 1 Ankita. Ankita was up against someone who had defeated Serena Williams in the third round of the Australian Open in January.

The world No. 119 stunned her Chinese rival by taking the first set in a jiffy but eventually lost 6-1 2-6 4-6 after battling hard for two hours and 24 minutes.

The doubles rubber has been rendered inconsequential. India will take on Uzbekistan tomorrow. — PTI