Teenager Aishi Das Scores Win In Last Billie Jean King Cup Tie

17-year-old Billie Jean King Cup debutant Aishi Das won her singles match in the final tie of the Asia/Oceania Group I competition in Pune, India. 

She defeated Eudice Chong of Hong Kong, China 2-6, 6-0, 6-4 in one hour and 42 minutes. Despite a slow start, Das stormed back into the match in the second set, while holding firm for a gritty 6-4 win in the final set against her much more experienced opponent, 11 years her senior. 

The result offers incredibly positive signs for the teenager, as Das does not have a WTA ranking. Currently her only ranking is at ITF Junior level, where she is showing promise at 126 in the world. Her opponent Chong is currently ranked 379 in the world on the WTA rankings.

Das' win was the only win of the final tie, with New Zealand losing to Hong Kong, China 2-1. However, with qualification already earned into the play-offs of the Billie Jean King Cup, the result was inconsequential. Instead it was a good chance for the younger players in the squad to get some valuable experience at this level. 

Sasha Situe celebrated her 19th birthday with her Billie Jean King Cup singles debut, losing a competitive one hour 13 minute match to Man Ying Maggie Ng 6-2, 6-3. Situe had high spirits despite the loss, with the crowd singing Happy Birthday to her. 

The doubles was played by Aishi Das and Monique Barry, losing 6-0, 6-2 to Hong Yi Cody Wong and Eudice Chong.

From Asia/Oceania Group I, New Zealand qualify for the play-offs in November alongside India, who also won four of their five ties. India's only loss was in the first round to New Zealand. It's New Zealand’s first ascent to this level in more than thirty years, with 1993 the last time a Kiwi side progressed past the Asia/Oceania round of the competition.

The play-offs are a round-robin format with seven groups of three teams. Only the top team from each group will progress to the qualifiers, which is the final step before the last eight teams compete for the trophy. New Zealand can expect to play some of the best teams in the world during the play-offs, with players most likely ranked well inside the top 100 of the WTA rankings.