Unforced errors haunt Vaishnavi as India trail in Billie Jean King Cup opener

New Delhi, April 7: India’s Vaishnavi Adkar faltered under the weight of unforced errors, slumping to a shock straight-set defeat against Aunchisa Chanta as the hosts trailed 0-1 against Thailand in their opening Asia/Oceania Group I tie of the Billie Jean King Cup here on Tuesday.
Ranked 73 places above her opponent at 383, Vaishnavi went down 1-6, 3-6 in one hour and 13 minutes at the DLTA Centre Court after play was delayed by more than three hours due to persistent drizzle which caused unusually cool conditions.
The onus is now on Sahaja Yamlapalli (384), who takes on Patcharin Cheapchandej (449) in the second singles to keep India in the contest.
Vaishnavi endured a shaky start, dropping serve in the opening game amid a flurry of errors. She battled through a marathon third game, saving three break points and stretching it across seven deuces, but eventually succumbed to a down-the-line backhand winner as she fell 0-3 behind.
Aunchisa, a left-hander with a rare double-handed forehand and a penetrating backhand, dictated play from the baseline to race to a 4-0 lead.
Vaishnavi briefly steadied to get on the board in the fifth game, but the momentum firmly remained with the Thai player.
Under sustained pressure, Vaishnavi soon faced two set points and surrendered the opener in just 23 minutes, sending a forehand long before pushing a backhand wide.
She began the second set on a brighter note with an early break, only to hand the advantage straight back with another loose service game.
Errors continued to flow, including a love hold conceded in the fourth game, as double faults mounted and groundstrokes repeatedly sailed long, allowing Aunchisa to get a grip over the mach.
The home player raised hopes of a comeback when she managed to break Aunchisa in the seventh game, staying close at 3-4. Aunchisa saved two break points while serving for the match which ended when Vaishnavi netted a backhand. (PTI)