DUBAI, March 2: Ankita Raina�s red-hot form and Sania Mirza�s assuring presence will give India a much better shot at the Play-offs place when the six-team Fed Cup competition begins here from Tuesday.
Ankita has been in tremendous form since the start of the season, winning two ITF singles and as many doubles titles.
She is placed at a career-best 160 in the singles ranking chart but during the Fed Cup the gritty Ankita has always punched above her weight, giving tough times to formidable opponents.
She would be captain Vishal Uppal�s biggest weapon apart from multiple-time doubles Grand Slam champion Sania Mirza, who is returning to Fed Cup after four years.
The three-week delay in the start of the tournament due to Coronavirus outbreak has given Sania a chance to recover from her calf injury which had forced her to retire mid-way from her Australian Open women�s doubles opener.
Her experience of playing and winning at the big stage will help younger players in the side in handling the pressure situations better.
�I had a good start to the season, so I am confident going into the competition. And definitely Sania will inspire all of us to give our best. Her advice and tips will be more than helpful,� admitted Ankita.
Riya Bhatia has risen in the ranks and her new-found confidence will be good for India�s chances. Karman Kaur Thandi has slipped in rankings after an injury and it will be a chance for the tall Delhi girl to not only regain her confidence but also help the team qualify for the next stage.
India had finished fourth at the Asia/Oceania Group I event but this year they have a realistic chance to make it to top-two. � PTI
