New Delhi: India made a fluent start in the Fed Cup Asia-Oceania group 2 regional qualifying round at the Ariake Park in Tokyo Monday.

According to information received here, India blanked Philippines 3-0. Sania Mirza dismissed F.M. La’o 6-2, 6-3. Manisha Malhotra was swept off her feet by C. Arevalo before recovering to win 1-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Isha Lakhani and Megha Vakaria won the doubles 7-5, 6-2 against La’o and Arevalo.

India are the favourites in group 2. They were relegated from group 1 last year after losing to Indonesia, Korea, New Zealand and Chinese Taipei.

This year’s group 2 has been reduced to four teams — Kyrgyzstan and Pacific Oceania are the others — following the withdrawal of Pakistan, Lebanon, Vietnam and Syria. (PTI)