TOP seed Vaishnavi Adkar and second seed Zhibek Kulambayuva of Kazakhstan made shortwork of their opponents on opening day of main draw of the MSLTA-NDHTA ITF15K Women’s World Tennis Tour at the NDHTA Ramnagar courts on Tuesday. Vaishnavi raced to 6-0 in the first set but qualifier Soumya Vig pulled her socks in the second before losing it 7-5. Zhibek got the better of Nhema Sara Kispotta in straight sets 6-1, 6-2. Fifth seed E Yashina beat Danica Fernando 6-4, 6-0; S Yuldasheva (UZB) beat Elena Jamshidi (DEN) 6-4, 6-2; Saily Thakkar beat Elsa Wan (MAS) 6-4, 6-4 while Russian Ekaterina Khodzhaeva defeated Aakruti Sonkusre 6-1, 6-2. In the only three setter of the day Pooja Ingale beat fellow Indian Laxmisiri Dandu 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

 

The level of tennis displayed by the players was amazing, whether it was service, rallies, baseline play and the winners. One coach was allowed by ITF to be present on court for each player as per new guidelines. At the outset, the main draw was inaugurated by Air Marshall Yella Umesh VSM, PhD, Commander in Chief, Maintenance Command, Indian Air Force, Vayusena Nagar. NDHTA President Kumar Kale welcomed him with a bouquet. Yella Umesh wished the players good luck and also watched the first between Vaishnavi and Soumya. He praised NDHTA officials for the wonderful work they are doing. Yella Umesh also felicitated India players Ankita Raina and Vaishnavi for being selected to play in the Fed Cup (Billie-Jean King Cup). The inaugural function was graced by dignitaries including MSLTA Secretary Sunder Iyer; NDHTA Secretary Dr Sudhir Bhiwapurkar; Joint Secretary Vikram Naidu, Treasurer Vijay Naidu and member Behram Patel.