India beat New Zealand 2-1, play Australia in Fed Cup play-off

Seoul, Apr 21 (UNI) Country's best bet Sania Mirza and US-based Shikha Uberoi swept aside their opponents in straight sets to help India tame New Zealand 2-1 and top Pool B in the Asia/Oceania Zone Group I match of the Fed Cup here today.

India will now play formidable Australia, Pool A topper, in the promotion play-off tomorrow and the winner will qualify for the World Group play-off II to be played in July this year.

Playing ther first rubber against unheralded Kairangi Vano, Boca Raton-based Shikha was in ruthless form as she dropped just one game to clinch the first set and never allowed her opponent any leeway as she won the match 6-1, 6-3.

World No 40 Sania Mirza, on her part, was at ease against Ellen Barry and despite not being at the top of her fitness, Sania was far more superior than her Kiwi rival whom she beat 6-2, 6-4.

New Zealand, finally managed a consolation win in the doubles where Marina Erakovic and Leanne Baker came back from behind to trounce the Ankita Bhambri-Isha Lakhani pair 4-6, 6-0, 6-1.

The Indians won the first set but then ran out of steam and the Kiwi pair blanked them in the second set and dropped just one in the next to win the rubber even though it had no impact on the outcome of the tie.

UNI XC AY DH BST1550