India well-placed in Fed Cup

India are one victory away from a place in the final, after beating the Philippines and Chinese

Taipei without losing a match, in the Fed Cup Asia-Oceania zonal qualifying round in Seoul, Korea, on Thursday.

Isha Lakhani and Ankita Bhambri saw India edge past the Philippines with victories in the singles, in the opening match, before Sania Mirza and Shikha Uberoi combined to overcome the tough Chinese Taipe in the second match in Pool 'B'.

The inconsequential doubles match was not played in both the rubbers.

India next play New Zealand in the third and final pool engagement.

Best teams from Pool 'A' and 'B' meet in the final on Saturday, the winner qualifying for the World Group 2 play-off in July this year.

Results:

India bt the Philippines 2-0 (Isha Lakhani bt Denise Dy 6-0, 7-6(3); Ankita Bhambri bt Czarina-Mae Arevalo 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-2).

India bt Chinese Taipei 2-0 (Shikha Uberoi bt Yung-Jan Chan 4-6, 6-3, 6-3; Sania Mirza bt Su-Wei Hsieh 6-4, 7-6(4)).