Billie Jean King Cup 2023: India lose to Korea, avoid relegation

They beat Thailand and hosts Uzbekistan in their first two matches.

The Indian women’s team lost its final group game to South Korea (1-2) at the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group I on Saturday. With this loss, India finished fourth, winning two and losing three ties to stay in Group I and avoid relegation. The top two teams from Group I (China and Japan) got promoted to the play-off stage while teams finishing fifth and sixth got relegated to Group II (Thailand and host Uzbekistan). The third and fourth-placed teams retained their place in Group I (India and South Korea).

Hosts Uzbekistan failed to win a single tie in the Billie Jean King Cup, whereas Thailand despite getting relegated won two ties. India enjoyed a (2-1) win against Thailand in the opening match of the group stage, which helped them avoid relegation.

India in the final group match, fielded world number 479 Vaidehi Chaudhari in the first singles match. The 23-year-old lost to Dabin Kim in three sets (6-2,4-6,4-6). The match lasted for close to 3 hrs and was also the second-longest match for India (after Ankita Raina's marathon encounter in the opening round tie against Thailand).

World number 400 Rutuja Bhosale won her second match in this edition of the Billie Jean King Cup, beating 421st-ranked Yeon Woo Ku (7-5, 2-6, 6-2). Rutuja lost momentum in the second set but made a good comeback to level things up going into the third match (doubles). World ranked 241, Ankita Raina paired up with Rutuja Bhosale in the doubles and lost to Ji Hee Choi / Dabin Kim in three sets (4-6, 6-2, 3-6).

India finished the campaign with (wins 6 and losses 9) occupying the fourth spot. 

India’s performance at Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania 2023 

India beat Thailand (2-1)

India beat Uzbekistan (3-0)

India lost to China (0-3)

India lost to Japan (0-3)

India lost to South Korea (1-2)