New Delhi: India blanked Philippines 3-0 for a fluent start in the Fed Cup women's team tennis competition's Asia-Oceania Group 2 regional qualifying round at the Ariake Park Tennis Stadium, Tokyo, on Monday.

Sania Mirza gave India a flying start beating F-M La'o 6-2, 6-3. Manisha Malhotra, ailing with fever, had to use all her experience and will power to beat C Arevalo 1- 6, 6-2, 6-3 according to information received here.

Isha Lakhani and Megha Vakharia then rounded off a fine performance for India by winning the doubles match 7-5, 6-2 against La'o and Arevalo.

India is the favourite in Group 2. It was relegated from Group 1 last year after it lost all its matches to Indonesia, Korean Republic, New Zealand and Chinese Taipei.

This year's Group 2 has been reduced to four teams following the withdrawal of Pakistan, Lebanon, Vietnam and Syria.

Kygyztan and Pacific Oceania are the other two teams in Group. India takes on Kyrgystan on Tuesday in the next round-robin tie.

The Indian team is captained by former player and coach Enrico Piperno.

PTI