India defeat Korea in Junior Fed Cup

The Indian girls defeated Korea 2-1 in their last Group 3 match in the Under-16 Junior Federation Cup finals, being played at La Baule, France, on Wednesday.

The result saw them finish behind group winners Russia and qualify for the 5th to 8th place play-offs. Germany finished third, ahead of Korea in the group.

India started badly, with Ankita Bhambri losing the first match against Jae-Hee Joung 4-6, 5-7.

But after losing two matches in the first two ties, Sania Mirza came through in the crucial match to win her singles clash against So-Jung Kim 6-2, 6-2. In the doubles match, Sania and Ankita did a fine job against Joung and Kim to win at 6-1, 6-4.

India will face Argentina, who finished second in Group 4, while Uruguay will face Hungary in the 5th-8th place play-offs.

The team captain Sunil Yajaman had some nice words about the third member of the team - Kartiki Bhat, who did not play this time but should be leading our under-16 team next year.

"Though Kartiki hasn't played any match until now, she is a girl who I can depend on when necessary. She is a good team member and has been playing an important role in keeping good spirits," said the captain.

The juniors (Under-14 boys and girls and Under-16 girls) have had good results at the world finals this year and all have performed better than expected.

The eighth seeded Under-14 boys finished seventh; the unseeded Under-14 girls' team also finished seventh and now the unseeded Under-16 team is competing for the 5th-8th place play-offs.

Earlier report:
India upset Germany in Junior Fed Cup