Shikha shines, Sania disappoints, Australia beat India 2-1

Seoul, Apr 22 (UNI) Sania Mirza failed to live up to the expectations and forfeited the advantage after Shikha Uberoi had upset higher ranked Casey Dell'Acua as Australia rallied to edge out India 2-1 to book their World Group II Playoff berth in the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group I final here today.

Shikha had given India a 1-0 lead by winning the first rubber 6-3, 6-2 but Sania was thrashed 4-6, 2-6 by Samantha Stosur and then Stosur partnered Rennae Stubbs to beat the the Sania-Shikha pair 7-6 (4), 6-2 to win the tie and advance to the next stage.

Boca Raton-based Shikha, World No 183, seemed little perturbed by the fact that her Australian opponent was ranked four rungs higher in the WTA ladder as the Indian displayed her natural aggression and pocketed the first set without much ado.

Once in her rhythm, Shikha was even more impressive in the second set and dropped just two games to win it and seal the match to give India a 1-0 lead.

Much was expected from Sania but the World No. 40, battling fitness problems, was not in her elements against Samantha Stosur, ranked 17 places lower than the Indian.

Stosur's experience stood her in good stead and Sania never found the going easy against the Aussie and surrendered the first set.

The second set was even more disappointing as Sania's attempted winners landed wide of the court and her serve also let her down.

Stosur conceded just a couple of games and walked away with a rather easy win to level the score.

In the doubles, it needed something extraordinary to get the better of Stosur and Rennae Stubbs, who are ranked first and sixth, respectively. The Indian pair still fought to the hilt and forced a tie-breaker but that only delayed the inevitable as and they surrendered meekly in the second set for Australia to complete a come-from-behind victory.

Results: Australia beat India 2-1 (Shikha Uberoi beat Casey Dell'Acqua 6-3, 6-2; Samantha Stosur beat Sania Mirza 6-4, 6-2; Samantha Stosur/Rennae Stubbs beat Sania Mirza/Shikha Uberoi 7-6(4) 6-2).

UNI XC AY PM RS1405