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 in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
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.
Veteran Rushmi Chakravathy and Sanaa Bhambri combined to beat Clare Fong and Stefanie 6-0, 6-2 in the inconsequential doubles tie.
India will take on Malaysia on Friday 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.
