Billie Jean King Cup: India missing Sania Mirza, go down to New Zealand | Tennis News

Prarthana Thombre had been charging the net and intercepting with near-precision. Her partner Ankita Raina too was finding the gaps between the two Kiwis – former Wimbledon singles quarterfinal Lulu Sun and Monique Barry. Having lost the first set but leading 4-5 in the second, the pair saw a glimmer through a door crack. The India vs New Zealand Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group I was level at 1-1 and the home team had a chance to close the tie.The conditions were punishing – it was 38 degrees even at dusk. The trickling sweat nearly messed with visibility on clouded eyes at the Balewadi stadium and both Kiwi southpaws were prone to errors. But Lulu (WTA rank 45) and Barry fortified their focus and amped up the intensity to roar back with a break and holding serve. Prarthana looked menacing each time she attacked the net, and Ankita was nailing the angled returns, when the chance suddenly snapped shut. Prarthana stabbed a volley into the net and India had lost their opening day tie 1-2.
Sania Mirza was officially missed. Top 50 and even Top 100 tennis players carry a certain swagger that alchemy turns into confidence on court, in pivotal moments of team ties. India, attempting to make World Group Playoffs for the first time in five years, will need to seek inspiration from Mirza who had sent across a social media post to the team, saying she was with them in spirit. On the court, Prarthana, who partnered Sania at the 2016 Olympics, was left to rue that botched backhand volley, which needed a butter knife but got a butcher’s cleaver.
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The New Zealand tie was always going to be the toughest, given Lulu’s presence – and she put in an unreal double shift, playing back to back matches. First she endured an exhausting even if easy looking 6-3, 6-3 win over Indian World No 301 Sahaja Yamalapalli, and in half hour’s time fetched up for the doubles.
Earlier, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, ranked 313, had thrashed 17-year-old Aishi Das, who looked severely dazed the heat and unable to put together a string of points, 6-1, 6-1. The tall Kiwi will rise in rankings some day, and has fragments of a big game, but on her BJK debut was completely overwhelmed. Shrivalli broke early and was absolutely relentless with her deep striking forehands and a competent serve that yielded 6 aces.
In the other singles match, Sahaja couldn’t do much more than prolong Lulu’s stay in the daunting heat which at one point reached 41 degrees. But it was always going to be down to doubles, as captain Vishal Uppal would’ve known.
India last reached World Group Playoffs in the 2020/2021, and had narrowly missed out in 2024, finishing third – coincidentally going down to New Zealand in the clincher. They ended up behind China and South Korea. But playing at home, and with the doubles tie in balance, Sania’s absence was felt acutely.Story continues below this ad
Ankita has been one of the fighters for India in the tram event, earlier called Federation Cup. Known for digging her heels in, in attritional games, her confidence is second to none. But the Kiwi pair of left-handers simply carried too much firepower to pull out winners at the crunch, with Lulu stamping her class, even with Barry melting away occasionally with wild hits.
But the Sania shadow looms. On Sahaja, now India’s top-ranked singles player, who grew up in Hyderabad but narrowly missed sharing the BJK dugout with the multiple Grand Slam champ. “She was the only person to look up to, and every household knew her. I’m disappointed I couldn’t be in the Indian team when she played. She won Grand Slams and I’ll be happy if I can achieve even a little bit of what she did,” the 25-year-old said.
As India play Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Korea and Hong Kong over the week, it is the doubles of Prarthana and Ankita (when fielded) that will need to ring in that one assured point like Mirza once did. Ankita recalls a teammate that felt deterred no one. “What I learnt from Sania is she’s very fearless on court at the net regardless of ranking. When she was at Fed Cup or any other tournament,” she said.
Prarthana would recollect the easy halo that Mirza first brought to the tennis court in 2005. “The whole experience she brought to the team, regardless of whether she was on court or off court with her expertise… She has that aura that regardless of whom we are playing we dont feel pressure because we knew Sania has got our back. I’m sure it was intimidating to many of the (rival) teams,” she explained, knowing she will have to match those stomping strides. “Hands down we miss her,” Prarthana added.