Onus on Ankita to take India to Fed Cup worlds
It will be an uphill task for Ankita Raina and Karman Kaur Thandi to catapult the Indian Fed Cup team to the World Group when the Asia/Oceania Group I challenge begins on Wednesday. India has not qualified for the Fed Cup World Group since 1991, but the spirited youngsters are expected to push their rivals in the Asia/Oceania Group I challenge.Both Ankita and Karman had decent, if not great, 2017 season during which they were consistent on the ITF circuit. Ankita also reached the singles finals at the USD 60,000 event in Luan.
Ankita has the experience of tackling top-125 players and knows what is required to pull off matches in this competition. Being the number one and most experienced player from the host team, Ankita will carry a lot of expectations on her shoulders.
But she is raring to pull of a good performance.
“We are very positive going into this tie. We have upcoming players in the team and that will be a surprise factor for other teams. And the way I am playing, I am pretty confident about good results,” Ankita said.It will be a tough and challenging first day of the tournament for India as the hosts are up against against China in their campaign opener. Ankita will lock horns with world number 120 Lin Zhu, to whom she had lost the title clash at Luan last year.
“There is not much difference in the level of players on ITF circuit and players on some of the WTA events. I have played these players before. I just need to be more consistent.”