New Delhi [India], Mar 5 : India bounced back strongly to beat Uzbekistan 3-0 in their Fed Cup Asia/Ocea Group I campaign on Wednesday, after the first match loss to China on day one.
On day two of the round-robin tournament, Rutaja Bhosale and Ankita Raina were again given singles duty, while Sowjanya Bavisetti made her second doubles appearance with Riya Bhatia in as many days.
It took a grueling three hour-long battle for Bhosale to emerge from one set down and earn India's first point in the competition as she defeated Alcgul Amanmuradova 2-6, 6-2, 7-5, who is ranked 35 places above her at 398 in the world.
27-year-old Ankita Raina won in straight sets 7-5, 6-1 against Sabina Sharipova in one hour and 34 minutes and gave India an unbeatable 2-0 lead.
Indian team's determined efforts continued in the third and final rubber of the day. Riya Bhatia and Sowjanya Bavisetti triumphed 6-3, 6-1 in the doubles tie against Karimjanova Yasmia and Normurodova Setom to blank Uzbekistan 3-0.
In the five-day-long Fed Cup Asia/Ocea Group I tournament, the top two sides will advance to the play-offs on April 17-18.
India and Korea will play against each other on day three. Chinese Taipei and Indonesia are the other two remaining teams in the competition who are yet to meet India.
( With inputs from ANI )