India make Fed Cup play-offs

Sania Mirza and Poojashree Venkatesh scored dominating singles victories as India beat hosts Malaysia 3-0 to top pool A of the Asia/Oceania Group II competition in the Fed Cup on Thursday. With this win,India have qualified for the play-off tie,the winner of which will be promoted to Asia/Oceania Group I.

Playing the first rubber,Venkatesh thrashed Chin-Bee Khoo 6-1 6-1 to yet again give India the lead and then Mirza secured the tie with a 6-1 6-1 win over Jawairiah Noordin in the second rubber. India rested Rushmi Chakravarthy,with Venkatesh partnering Sanaa Bhambri for the doubles rubber,in which they beat Noordin and Chin-Bee Khoo 7-6 6-2.

India will next meet Kyrgzstan in the promotional play-off. Kyrgzstan lost 2-1 to Hong Kong on Friday.