India lose again, finish last in Pool A

Nonthaburi (Thailand), Feb 4 (PTI) In a disappointingresult, India ended at the bottom of Pool A in the Fed CupAsia/Oceania Group I after losing 1-2 against Thailand in itslast 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 finishedlast in Pool B. This will be India''s last chance to stay inGroup I as the loser will be relegated to Group II of theAsia/Oceania zone.

Earlier, the tie was locked at 1-1 today after thesingles matches and yet again the doubles rubber becamedecisive, which India lost with Sania Mirza and RushmiCharavarthi frittering away a one-set lead once again.

The Indian pair lost 6-3 0-6 5-7 to NoppawanLertcheewakaran and Nungnadda Wannasuk.

Ashwarya Shrivastav made her debut in Fed Cup when sheplayed the first singles against Nicha Lertpitaksincha, whichthe Indian lost 2-6 0-6.

Sania, however, kept Indian chances alive with a 6-2 6-0win over Lertcheewakaran but could not help India record itsfirst win in the event.

India were promoted to Group I last year when they wonall the three ties -- beating Singapore, Malaysia andKyrgyzstan -- without losing a rubber.

India''s best Fed Cup performance came in 2006, when itended as the runners-up in Asia/Oceania Zone Group I.