Decks cleared for Sunitha Rao

With Sania Mirza out injured, Sunitha 8212; currently ranked 221 on the WTA charts 8212; is the top-ranked player in the team, which includes Shikha Uberoi 239, Ankita Bhambri 476 and Tara Iyer at the Fed Cup Asia-Oceania Group I competition at Christchurch from April 18 to 21

Sunitha Rao8217;s wait to formally represent India is over. After a wait of a little under three years, the International Tennis Federation ITF last week cleared all decks for the Florida-based player to play for the country.

In an e-mail reply to The Indian Express, ITF communication officer Nick Imison informed that 8220;the Fed Cup Committee has confirmed Sunitha Rao8217;s eligibility to represent India in the Fed Cup. The All India Tennis Association is now entitled to nominate Sunitha to represent India in the 2007 Fed Cup competition onwards.8221;

Sunitha8217;s clearance would ease of some of the pressure India were facing ahead of their campaign, after Sania Mirza was ruled out for two months because of her knee-injury suffered a month ago.

Asked if there was a chance that Sania might play, Fed Cup coach Enrico Piperno said there was 8220;no chance. She8217;s not even begun practicing.8221;

Sunitha 8212; currently ranked 221 on the WTA charts 8212; is the top-ranked player in the team, which includes Shikha Uberoi 239, Ankita Bhambri 476 and Tara Iyer, at the Fed Cup Asia-Oceania Group I competition at Christchurch, New Zealand, from April 18-21.

Piperno added that 8220;she may not be very high on confidence at the moment, but would definitely strengthen the team8221;. Piperno8217;s thought stems from the fact that Sunitha has not had a very impressive year. 8220;But surely her experience would count,8221; he added. Sunitha has been ranked as high as 152 and was among the Top-25 in the United States.

In Mumbai for a event last month, Sunitha had expressed that playing for India would be a 8220;dream fulfilled.8221; Sunitha does look to be in good touch. Playing at the 25,000 Challenger at Putigano, Italy last week, she scored one of her biggest wins 8212; toppling world No 131 Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium in Round One. But she bowed to 284-ranked Germany8217;s Carmen Klaschka in the very next round.

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Consistency has been being her major hurdle right through the year 8212; she has a 5-8 W/L record. Piperno is a bit worried about this chink in Sunitha8217;s ability, but he banks on her impressive past to hold India in good stead.