India’s No. 2 singles player, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, delivered a spirited performance but ultimately fell 3-6, 6-4, 1-6 to Slovenia’s Tamara Zidanšek, a former Roland-Garros semifinalist, in a crucial Billie Jean King Cup Group I tie on Friday.
The result puts Slovenia one win away from securing a spot in the BJK Cup Qualifiers, while India now faces a must-respond situation in the remaining rubbers. For Shrivalli, the contest was both a test of resilience and a reminder of the fine margins that separate top-tier WTA professionals from rising contenders. Across two sets, she matched Zidanšek shot for shot, showing flashes of the big hitting and court coverage that have defined her BJK Cup rise. But inconsistency and a dip in intensity early in the third set proved costly against a seasoned opponent who knows how to close out pressure situations.
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The opening set was shaped by Shrivalli’s early struggles to find rhythm from the baseline. Zidanšek, known for her deep, looping groundstrokes and counterpunching ability, immediately put the Indian under pressure. Shrivalli’s first-serve percentage remained steady at 69%, but she won only 49% of first-serve points, allowing Zidanšek to attack the second ball and control rallies. Zidanšek raced to a 4–0 lead, capitalizing on short balls and forcing Shrivalli into uncomfortable defensive positions. The Indian did create two break-point opportunities in the early games, but Zidanšek’s composure on serve, highlighted by six aces across the match, helped her fend off both chances.
Shrivalli finally registered on the scoreboard with a hold, followed by an excellent break as she began stepping inside the baseline and flattening out her forehand. Her improved aggression closed the gap to 3–4, and momentum briefly shifted. But Zidanšek steadied in the eighth game, lifting her first-serve efficiency and attacking Shrivalli’s second serve with depth. The Slovenian closed out the set 6–3, her 46% first-return points won proving decisive.
A Strong Fightback: Shrivalli Strikes Back in the Second Set
The second set showcased Shrivalli at her confident best. She began by targeting Zidanšek’s serve with clean, heavy returns and showed better discipline in longer rallies. Her improved footwork allowed her to take balls earlier, and the reward came in the form of an early break.
One of the defining moments of the match came in the second game, when Shrivalli stared down triple break point at 0–40. Displaying impressive resilience, she reeled off five straight points with well-constructed patterns: big, wide serve, deep backhand cross, and forehand up the line to hold and consolidate her lead.
For several games, both players settled into a rhythm with solid first-serve numbers, but Shrivalli continued to apply pressure in return games. In the fifth game, she created multiple break points and this time converted, taking a commanding 4–1 lead. With her second-serve points won climbing to an excellent 79%, she maintained scoreboard control throughout the set.
Shrivalli earned a set point at 5–1, but Zidanšek, as expected from a Grand Slam semifinalist, refused to surrender easily. The Slovenian wiped away the set point, broke back, and held for 4–5, briefly putting pressure on the Indian. But Shrivalli held her nerve. With improved accuracy on her first serve and deeper rally balls, she clinched the second set 6–4, forcing a decider and igniting belief in the Indian camp.
Decider Dominated: Zidanšek’s Experience Takes Over
Where Shrivalli raised her level in the second set, Zidanšek did the same in the third. The Slovenian opened with a quick hold, then applied pressure right away on the Indian’s serve. Despite Shrivalli firing back-to-back aces and leading 40–15, she was broken after a string of rushed groundstrokes, an early turning point in the set.
From there, Zidanšek’s consistency from the baseline took full control. She won 6 of the next 7 games, breaking twice and dictating almost every long rally. Shrivalli’s second-serve points dropped sharply in the decider, and the Slovenian’s deep returns repeatedly forced errors. Zidanšek sealed the third set 6–1 with a clean service game, underlining her experience and tactical discipline. For Shrivalli, the inability to recover after the early break proved costly, though her overall performance across the first two sets offered several positives.
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This defeat marks Shrivalli’s first loss in the Billie Jean King Cup, ending her impressive five-match winning streak in the competition. But the scoreline does not reflect the competitiveness she brought to the court for large stretches of the match.
Key positives include:
- High resilience under pressure, especially the 0–40 comeback in Set 2
- Improved second-serve performance across the match
- Ability to penetrate a top-150 player’s defence when settling into rhythm
- A composed hold to close the second set, showing mental maturity
Areas for improvement remain clear too: sustaining baseline consistency across three sets, reducing drop-offs after tight games, and maintaining aggressive court positioning under scoreboard pressure, and bringing more variety to her game.
Though the loss is disappointing, especially in a tie of such consequence for India, matches like these are crucial stepping stones. Playing a former Roland-Garros semifinalist and pushing her for two full sets will only accelerate Shrivalli’s growth on the international stage.
Slovenia now moves within one step of reaching the BJK Cup Qualifiers, while Shrivalli will regroup quickly for her next challenge.
