New Delhi, India's World Group Play-offs hopes were dealt a crushing blow as Ankita Raina lost to South Korea's Dayeon Back in straight sets in the Billie Jean King Cup on Saturday.
Ranked 581 and aged 33, Ankita fought valiantly but ultimately fell 1-6 5-7 in one hour and 55 minutes to the 343rd-ranked Korean.
Despite multiple chances, Ankita squandered them at key moments, including a puzzling reliance on drop shots that Dayeon handled comfortably.
India will now strive to win the remaining two matches and finish fourth in the Asia/Oceania Group I, remaining in the group.
