In a disappointing result, India ended at the bottom of Pool A in the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Group I after losing 1-2 against Thailand in its last league engagement here today.
It was India’s third consecutive defeat in as many days, as it earlier suffered defeats against China and Uzbekistan.
Now India will clash against Chinese Taipei, who finished last in Pool B. This will be India’s last chance to stay in Group I as the loser will be relegated to Group II of the Asia/Oceania zone.
Earlier, the tie was locked at 1-1 today after the singles matches and yet again the doubles rubber became decisive, which India lost with Sania Mirza and Rushmi Charavarthi frittering away a one-set lead once again.
The Indian pair lost 6-3 0-6 5-7 to Noppawan Lertcheewakaran and Nungnadda Wannasuk.
Ashwarya Shrivastav made her debut in Fed Cup when she played the first singles against Nicha Lertpitaksincha, which the Indian lost 2-6 0-6.
Sania, however, kept Indian chances alive with a 6-2 6-0 win over Lertcheewakaran but could not help India record its first win in the event.
India were promoted to Group I last year when they won all the three ties — beating Singapore, Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan — without losing a rubber.
India’s best Fed Cup performance came in 2006, when it ended as the runners-up in Asia/Oceania Zone Group I.
