Thailand Takes Early Advantage Over India in Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers

Thailand Takes Lead on Rain-Delayed Opening Day

On Tuesday, Thailand established an early advantage against India during the opening day of the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group I Qualifiers held at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) Stadium.

Persistent rain earlier in the day caused a delay of nearly three hours, with the first singles match commencing around 6 PM.

Vaishnavi Adkar, ranked No. 383 globally and making her debut in this competition, struggled initially against Thailand's Anchisa Chanta, who is ranked No. 456. Chanta's unique two-handed groundstrokes helped her secure a swift 4-0 lead, ultimately winning the first set 6-1.

Adkar attempted a comeback in the second set with an early break, but Chanta quickly regained control, winning four consecutive games to lead 4-1. Although Adkar narrowed the score to 4-3, Chanta broke again and closed the match at 6-1, 6-3 in just over an hour, marking her singles record in the competition at 8-1.

In the second singles match, Thai veteran Patcharin Cheapchandej was leading Sahaja Yamalapalli 6-4, 1-6, 4-3 when rain interrupted play again, suspending the match until Wednesday morning.

Yamalapalli faced an early setback in the first set but managed to level the score before Cheapchandej secured a crucial break to win the set 6-4. The Indian player rebounded in the second set, winning 6-1. In the deciding set, Cheapchandej broke early to lead 3-1, but Yamalapalli fought back to tie it at 3-3 before rain halted the match.

The match will resume at 11 AM on Wednesday, followed by the doubles match featuring Ankita Raina and Rutuja Bhosale against Thailand's Thasaporn Naklo and Peangtarn Plipuech. India is set to compete against New Zealand in their second tie of the tournament.

Other Matches: Korea and Indonesia Shine

In other matches, the Korea Republic achieved a clean sweep against Mongolia, winning all singles and doubles matches without dropping a game. Indonesia also secured a 2-0 victory over New Zealand, thanks to wins from world No. 41 Janice Tjen and world No. 389 Priska Nugroho. The doubles match in this tie was also suspended due to rain and will continue on Wednesday morning.

All six participating teams are competing in a round-robin format until Saturday, with the top two teams advancing to the next round. On Wednesday, Thailand will face the Korea Republic, while Indonesia will take on Mongolia.

Match Results from April 7, 2026

Thailand Leads India 1-0

Anchisa Chanta (THA) defeated Vaishnavi Adkar (IND) 6-1, 6-3

Patcharin Cheapchandej (THA) leads Sahaja Yamalapalli (IND) 6-4, 1-6, 4-3 (suspended due to rain - to resume on Wednesday morning)

Rutuja Bhosale (IND) / Ankita Raina vs. Thasaporn Naklo (THA) / Peangtarn Plipuech (THA) (to be played on Wednesday).

Indonesia Defeats New Zealand 2-0

Priska Madelyn Nugroho (INA) defeated Aishi Das (NZL) 6-4, 6-1

Janice Tjen (INA) defeated Monique Barry (NZL) 6-3, 6-1

Monique Barry (NZL) / Erin Routliffe (NZL) vs. Priska Madelyn Nugroho (INA) / Aldila Sutjiadi (INA) 1-1 (suspended due to rain - to resume on Wednesday morning)

Korea Republic Defeats Mongolia 3-0

Dayeon Back (KOR) defeated Khongorzul Aldarkhishig (MGL) 6-0, 6-0

SoHyun Park (KOR) defeated Jargal Altansarnai (MGL) 6-0, 6-0

BoYoung Jeong (KOR) / Eunhye Lee (KOR) defeated Khongorzul Aldarkhishig (MGL) / Anu-Vjin Gantor (MGL) 6-0, 6-0.