Indian girls begin with a bang

India won their first match against The Philippines in the Asia-Oceania girls' qualifying tournament for the World junior (under-14) tennis event, at the Gelora Senayam tennis stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday.

Seeded third in the tournament, India are placed in Group 2 along with sixth seeds Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia. China are the top seeds, while Australia are No. 2.

Indian blanked The Philippines 3-0, with India No. 2 Sandhya Nagaraj defeating Melissa Rose Orteza 6-0, 6-1, and Sanaa Bhambri winning her match against Noelle Conchita Corazon Zoleta 6-2, 6-0.

Bhambri then teamed up with Vandana Murali in the doubles to beat Ivy Kristel De Castro/Zoleta 6-2, 6-1 and complete the sweep.

In the another match in Group 2, Japan defeated Malaysia 3-0.

In Group 1, Indonesia defeated Uzbekistan 2-1.

Thailand defeated Korea 3-0 and New Zealand beat Kazakhstan 2-1 in the Group 3 while Chinese Taipei blanked China Hong Kong 3-0 in a Group 4 match.

The 2002 World Junior tennis finals will take place in Prostejov, the Czech Republic, during the week of August 12.

Four teams will qualify from the Asia-Oceania group for the finals. The Czech Republic, as host nation, has automatically qualifed for the finals.

Earlier, last week, the Indian boys qualified from the Asia-Oceania group for the finals.