India in cruise control at Fed Cup

India were one tie away from a place in the final after beating Philippines and Chinese Taipei without losing a match.

India were one tie away from a place in the final after beating Philippines and Chinese Taipei without losing a match in the Fed Cup Asia-Oceania zonal qualifying tie in Seoul, Korea, on Thursday.

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Isha Lakhani and Ankita Bhambri saw India edge past Philippines with their victories in singles in the opening match before Sania Mirza and Shikha Uberoi combined to overcome the tough Chinese Taiper in the second match of Pool 'B'.

The inconsequential doubles match was not played in both the rubbers.

India next play New Zealand in the third and final pool engagement.

Best teams from Pool 'A' and 'B' meet in the final on Saturday, the winner qualifying for the World Group 2 play-off in July this year.

Results:

India bt Philippines 2-0 (Isha Lakhani bt Denise Dy 6-0 7-6 (3); Ankita Bhambri bt Czarina-Mae Arevalo 6-4 6-7 (2/7) 6-2).

India bt Chinese Taipei 2-0 (Shikha Uberoi bt Yung-Jan Chan 4-6 6-3 6-3; Sania Mirza bt Su-Wei Hsieh 6-4 7-6 (7/4).