India relegated to Group II of Asia/Oceania Zone

Nonthaburi (Thailand), Feb 5 (PTI) India''s campaign atthe Fed Cup turned worst as it was relegated to Group II ofthe Asia/Oceania Zone after losing the play-off tie 1-2 toChinese Taipei here today.

Last year, India had competed in the bottom division buthad won all three ties -- against Singapore, Malaysia andKyrgyzstan -- without losing a rubber to gain promotion.

However, India failed to keep its place in Group I thistime and will strive yet again in 2012 to earn promotion.

Sania Mirza, who won two of her three singles matchesdespite a hamstring problem, did not take field today and bothAshvarya Srivastava and Poojashree Venkatesha lost theirsingles matches.

Ashvarya lost 3-6 3-6 Ting-Fei Juan in the openingsingles and then Poojashree went down fighting 5-7 1-6 againstChin-Wei Chan.

The pair of Srivastava and Rushmi Chakravathi combined towin the inconsequential doubles rubber 1-6 6-3 7-6 (5) againstJuan and Yui-Lynn Miao at National Tennis Centre.

India had lost to China, Uzbekistan and Thailand at theGroup stage and finished at the bottom in four-team Pool A.

India''s best Fed Cup performance came in 2006, when itended as runners-up in Asia/Oceania Zone Group I.