New Delhi, April 8 Sahaja Yamalapalli fought valiantly against Patcharin Cheapchandej in a three-setter match, but India conceded a decisive 0-2 lead to Thailand in their rain-affected opening Group I tie of the Billie Jean King Cup here on Wednesday.
The match was particularly important for world No. 384 Sahaja, as she resumed after the match was suspended due to rain on Tuesday evening.
However, the 25-year-old could not prevent India from losing 4-6, 6-1, 4-6 to Patcharin, ranked 449, in a match that lasted two hours and 25 minutes.
Resuming at 3-4 in the deciding set, Sahaja sent a forehand wide, and Patcharin held serve to move ahead 5-3.
The Indian then held her serve after a Patcharin backhand slice went into the net, narrowing the gap to 4-5.
With the match hanging in the balance, Sahaja produced some exceptional groundstrokes, dominating the baseline exchanges. She even earned a break point when Patcharin hit long.
However, she faltered at a crucial moment, sending both her forehand and backhand long, handing the advantage back to Patcharin. A mis-hit return on the next point ended her resistance.
Debutant Vaishnavi Adkar had also struggled under pressure, committing a series of unforced errors in a 1-6, 3-6 loss to Aunchisa Chanta.
In the inconsequential doubles match, Rutuja Bhosale and Ankita Raina are playing against Thasaporn Naklo and Peangtarn Plipuech. India will face New Zealand in their second match later in the day.
