India defeat NZ in Billie Jean King Cup

Antalya, April 16

India defeated New Zealand 2-1 to secure back-to-back wins in the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group I match here.

Rutuja Bhosale got the better of Beatrice Gumulya 6-4 6-1, while Ankita Raina made it 2-0 overall with a 6-1 6-2 thrashing of Aldila Sutjiadi.

In the doubles rubber, the duo of Sowjanya Bavisetti and Riya Bhatia went down to Jessy Rompies and Aldila Sutjiadi 4-6 7-6(7) 2-6 for an overall 2-1 win.

Having started off with losses to Japan and China, the Indian women’s team tasted its first win over Indonesia by a 2-1 margin.

Swiatek sends Poland into finals; Italy, Spain advance

Poland’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek handed Romania’s Andreea Prisacariu a double bagel en route to victory in their Billie Jean King Cup qualifier, securing a 3-0 win in the tie and a spot in November’s finals for the first time.

Swiatek, who put her country up 2-0 on opening day by thrashing Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-1 6-0 for an 18th straight win, continued to stamp her authority on the tie as the 20-year-old broke Prisacariu six times in Radom, Poland.

“I’m really proud. I was really working hard for that. Even though I didn’t play last year, I feel it’s been a long journey and it took us a few years to progress step by step and qualify for the finals,” Swiatek said after her 6-0 6-0 victory. “It just shows what a strong team we are. Hopefully in the finals we’re going to show even more progress and we’re going to succeed.”

Joining Poland in the finals are Kazakhstan, who beat visitors Germany 3-0 with Elena Rybakina coming from a set down to get past three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber 4-6 6-3 7-5 in Nur-Sultan.

Four-time winners Italy also advanced after Camila Giorgi, who had given her country a 2-0 lead on Friday, secured the decisive point in their victory over France in Sardinia with a 6-2 6-0 thrashing of Harmony Tan.

Spain will bid for a sixth title, despite missing Paula Badosa and Garbine Muguruza this weekend, after Sara Sorribes Tormo beat Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands 6-0 6-4 to secure their passage to the finals. Belgium are already in the finals after receiving a walkover with opponents Belarus being suspended. — Agencies

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