BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The Netherlands won the decisive women's doubles match to beat China 3-2 on Saturday at the Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup) Qualification Playoffs in Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.

China's Wang Xiyu put her team ahead with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove after the two teams were tied 1-1 on Friday.

But teammate Wang Xinyu retired with a thigh injury in the 8th game of the second set trailing Arantxa Rus at 6-4, 4-3 and the best-of-five series was tied again.

China's Zheng Saisai withdrew due to a shoulder injury and Xu Yifan took her place in the doubles match, but Zhang Shuai/Xu Yifan lost 6-1, 6-4 to Arantxa Rus/Demi Schuurs, and the Dutch won the playoffs 3-2 to advance.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) renamed the Fed Cup, the women's world cup of tennis, the Billie Jean King Cup in September, 2020, to honor American legendary player, Billie Jean King, founder of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA).

A total of 16 teams will battle in the playoffs for a chance in the Finals of the 2021 Billie Jean King Cup with the winners of the best-of-five series advancing. Enditem

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