India beat Singapore 3-0
(FEDCUP, MALAYSIA)

FRIDAY 05, FEB 2010.

Sania Mirza and Poojashree Venkatesha notched up straight-set wins as India blanked Singapore 3-0 in a Group A rubber to get off to a flying start in the Asia/Oceania Group II competition of the Fed Cup tennis tournament.

Poojashree made a good debut as she thrashed Si Ying Julienne Keong 6-1, 6-1 in the opening rubber to give India a 1-0 lead.

Seasoned campaigner Sania then clinched the tie for India by beating Li Yun "Stefanie" Tan 6-2, 6-3 in the second singles.

Rushmi Chakravathy and Sanaa Bhambri combined to beat Clare Fong and Stefanie 6-0, 6-2 in the inconsequential doubles rubber.

India will take on Malaysia and will have to beat the hosts to top Group A and thus qualify for the play-off tie, where a win would catapult them back to Group I. India were relegated to Group II last year.