ASTANA (KAZAKHSTAN), Feb 6: India Fed Cup coach Ankita Bhambri reckons a good serve will be the key on indoor courts when Ankita Raina and Karman Kaur Thandi fight it out with higher-ranked players in the Fed Cup here.
India will begin their campaign at the Asia/Oceania Group I against Thailand on Thursday before clashing with formidable hosts Kazakhstan on Friday.
Getting past Thailand is not expected to be too hard for India with Ankita and fast-improving Karman in good form.
Thailand�s best-ranked singles player is Peangtarn Plipuech, who is placed at 297 while Punnin Kovapitukted is way lower at number 657.
�To be very honest, the girls are improving every year. Karman is stronger and fitter while Ankita is also strong and has more experience. They need to put it together,� Bhambri told PTI.
The matches will be played indoors due to the sub-zero temperature in the city.
�It is important to serve well (indoor) and reach out to the ball faster. If you start a point well, the chances of ending it well also gets better,� Bhambri said.
Kazakhstan�s World No. 43 Yulia Putintseva and Zarina Diyas, ranked 96, would be the tough obstacles for India, if they are to top Pool A. The winners of Pool A and B, which has four teams, will clash to determine which nation qualifies for the World Group II. � PTI
