<p>Sania Mirza won the crucial second-round singles match and then combined with Isha Lakhani to clinch the decisive doubles rubber as India earned promotion to Asia/Oceania Group I in Fed Cup after a 2-1 victory over Hong Kong in the play-off tie here today.<br /><br />Down 0-1, after a 4-6 1-6 mauling of Rutuja Bhosale at the hands of Wing-Yau Venise Chan, India needed to win the second singles rubber to stay in contention.<br /><br />Sania did not disappoint and came back from a set down to get the better of Ling Zhang 5-7 6-0 6-1 to level the tie.</p>.<p>It was for the first time that Sania was fielded in the singles match. Earlier Prerna Bhambri, Isha and Rutuja had played in all the singles matches.<br /><br />Sania and Isha then rallied to win the tough doubles match 6-7 (7) 6-1 7-5 against Chan and Zhang to help India move to the Group I.<br /><br />In next year's competition, India will strive to earn a place in the World Group. India were relegated to Group II last year when they lost all the league stage rubbers and play-off tie.<br /><br />India's best Fed Cup performance came in 2006 when they were the runner-up in Asia/Oceania Zone Group I.</p>
<p>Sania Mirza won the crucial second-round singles match and then combined with Isha Lakhani to clinch the decisive doubles rubber as India earned promotion to Asia/Oceania Group I in Fed Cup after a 2-1 victory over Hong Kong in the play-off tie here today.<br /><br />Down 0-1, after a 4-6 1-6 mauling of Rutuja Bhosale at the hands of Wing-Yau Venise Chan, India needed to win the second singles rubber to stay in contention.<br /><br />Sania did not disappoint and came back from a set down to get the better of Ling Zhang 5-7 6-0 6-1 to level the tie.</p>.<p>It was for the first time that Sania was fielded in the singles match. Earlier Prerna Bhambri, Isha and Rutuja had played in all the singles matches.<br /><br />Sania and Isha then rallied to win the tough doubles match 6-7 (7) 6-1 7-5 against Chan and Zhang to help India move to the Group I.<br /><br />In next year's competition, India will strive to earn a place in the World Group. India were relegated to Group II last year when they lost all the league stage rubbers and play-off tie.<br /><br />India's best Fed Cup performance came in 2006 when they were the runner-up in Asia/Oceania Zone Group I.</p>