The Shrivalli Bhamidipaty big tennis serve continued to boom around Pune’s Mhalunge Balewadi stadium as India confidently strode into the playoffs of the Billie Jean King Cup, winning 4 of their 5 Asia Oceania ties.
The 5’11” Hyderabadi though, won all her 5 matches, and wrapped up her debut campaign with 12 aces in the final match against Korean Sohyun Park, even as India won 2-1. In all she rattled off 38 aces, averaging 7.6 per match – an impressive tally, pointing to one of the most solid serves in Indian women’s tennis.
Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare stepped up when it mattered most, helping the team over the line against Sohyun Park and Dabin Kim as India confirmed their playoff berth for only the second time. They last Made the cut in 2020. New Zealand lost to Hong Kong, but managed to qualify.
But it was Shrivalli who notched 8 aces each against New Zealand and Hong Kong, 12 against Korea, 4 versus Thailand and 6 against Chinese Taipei. According to stats provided by MSLTA’s Laxmikant Shrotri, she also tad a staggering 77 percent of points from first serve, while the SS percentage was 59.
Her win record remained intact as she beat 4 opponents ranked above her in WTA charts. Up against 248-ranked, Sohyun Park in second singles versus Korea, Shrivalli was pushed in the opener but ended up going a set down. She fought back to take the next 6-3 and then prevailed 7-5 in the third set tiebreak.
For a second time in a row, her serving pulled Shrivalli out of trouble as she won 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) in 2 hours and 52 minutes.
Heading into the second singles match (WS1) with a one-nil lead for India, Sahaja Yamalapalli took on Dayeon Back. Wracked by bad luck, and having to play tough opponents including World No 45 Kiwi, Sahaja fought but in vain. The scoreline read 3-6, 4-6, in an hour and 45 minutes.
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In a must-win doubles, India’s seniormost pros Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare were dominant against Sohyun Park and Dabin Kim. Sticking to a solid game at the net and baseline and piercing angles cannily, they secured a 6-4, 6-3 victory in an hour and 15 minutes.
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