India’s women’s tennis team secured a significant victory over South Korea with a 2–1 win in the final tie of the Billie Jean King Cup 2025 Asia/Oceania Group I, held at the Mahalunge-Balewadi Tennis Complex in Pune. This triumph earned India a coveted spot in the World Group Playoffs, marking only their second qualification for this stage, the first being in 2020.
🎾 Match Summary
- Singles Match 1: Debutant Shrivalli Bhamidipaty showcased remarkable resilience, overcoming a first-set deficit to defeat world No. 248 Sohyun Park with a scoreline of 5–7, 6–3, 7–6 (7–5). This victory extended her unbeaten streak in the tournament to five matches.
- Singles Match 2: India’s top-ranked player, Ankita Raina, faced a challenging match against Dabin Kim, resulting in a 3–6, 4–6 loss, bringing the overall tie to a 1–1 stalemate.
- Doubles Match: The decisive rubber saw Ankita Raina pair with Prarthana Thombare to secure a straight-sets victory over the South Korean duo of Sohyun Park and Dabin Kim, with a score of 6–4, 6–3, clinching the tie for India.
🇮🇳 Team Performance
India concluded the group stage with a 3–2 win-loss record, finishing second behind New Zealand in the six-team pool. This performance ensured their progression to the World Group Playoffs scheduled for November 2025.
The team’s success was bolstered by the emergence of Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, whose unbeaten run in singles matches provided a strong foundation throughout the tournament.
🏆 Looking Ahead
With this victory, India advances to the Billie Jean King Cup World Group Playoffs, aiming to secure a place among the elite national teams in women’s tennis. The upcoming playoff matches will be crucial in determining their position in the global standings.
