Fed Cup: India relegated to Group II of Asia/Oceania Zone

NONTHABURI (Thailand): India's campaign at the Fed Cup turned worst as it was relegated to Group II of the Asia/Oceania Zone after losing the play-off tie 1-2 to Chinese Taipei on Saturday.

Last year, India had competed in the bottom division but had won all three ties -- against Singapore, Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan -- without losing a rubber to gain promotion.

However, India failed to keep its place in Group I this time and will strive yet again in 2012 to earn promotion.

Sania Mirza, who won two of her three singles matches despite a hamstring problem, did not take field on Saturday and both Ashvarya Srivastava and Poojashree Venkatesha lost their singles matches.

Ashvarya lost 3-6, 3-6 Ting-Fei Juan in the opening singles and then Poojashree went down fighting 5-7, 1-6 against Chin-Wei Chan.

The pair of Srivastava and Rushmi Chakravathi combined to win the inconsequential doubles rubber 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5) against Juan and Yui-Lynn Miao at National Tennis Centre.

India had lost to China, Uzbekistan and Thailand at the Group stage and finished at the bottom in four-team Pool A.

India's best Fed Cup performance came in 2006, when it ended as runners-up in Asia/Oceania Zone Group I.

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