Isha on a roll in Seoul

Speaking from Seoul, Isha said that playing for the country was all that mattered when she stepped out on court today. 8220;There was no way I was going to let go of this opportunity,8221; she said.

Playing Dy for the first time, Isha, ranked 364, said that 8216;8216;giving India a winning start8217;8217; was the key, particularly since coach and captain Enrico Piperno had banked heavily on her and Ankita Bhambri. The team strategy was to keep Sania Mirza and Shikha Uberoi fit for the next match against Chinese Taipei, which India eventually won to complete a great day in office.

Calling 17-year-old Dy a 8220;mixed type of player,8221; Isha, who braved strong winds and and four-degree temperature, earned kudos from Piperno. 8216;8216;Isha enjoyed what she did out there,8217;8217; said Piperno.

On her game, Piperno added, 8216;8216;She has changed her attitude a lot. Earlier, she kept more to herself, now she gels with the team a lot.8217;8217;

While playing the Asian Games at Busan four years ago remains her only memory of South Korea, the Olympic Park in Seoul now has a special place in her heart. 8220;I love playing and winning for India,8221; the 21-year-old says.

India meet New Zealand on Friday8212;a win would mean they would top the group and run into Australia for a play-off for World Group II in July.

RESULTS

India b Phillipines: 2-0 Isha Lakhani b Denise Dy 6-0, 7-6 3; Ankita Bhambri b Czarina Mae Arevalo 6-4, 6-72, 6-2

India b Chinese Taipei: 2-0 Shikha Uberoi b Yung-Jan Chan 4-6, 6-3, 6-3; Sania Mirza b Su-Wei Hsieh 6-4, 7-6 4