Qualifier Bhasin stuns Yadav

 

 

 

QUALIFIER Smriti Bhasin created a flutter as she recorded the first upset of the Aryan Pumps–MSLTA Women’s $15K ITF World Tennis Tour Event being organised by Nagpur District Hardcourt Tennis Association (NDHTA) under the auspices of ITF, AITA and MSLTA played at MSLTA Tennis Academy, Ramnagar. In the first round match, Smriti toppled eighth seeded Mihika Yadav 6-3, 6-1 to move up in the singles. In the closest match of the day between two wildcard entrants, Yubarani Banerjee edged out a fighting Ishwari Matere 6-4, 2-6, 6-7 (5) in a 2-hour 25 minute battle. Denmark’s Elena Jamshidi now a regular in India had to put in all her socks to stave off the challenge form another wildcard Sudipta Kumar before winning 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in 2 hours and 24 minutes encounter. Another qualifier Prathyusha Rachapudi rallied past Avishka Gupta 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in the longest match of the day lasting 2 hours 38 minutes. State player Akanksha Nitture gave a good account of her self in the first set against fourth seeded Punnin Kovapitukted of Thailand, but the Thai player winner of the leg at Gurugram won 7-6(3), 6-1 in 1 hour and 33 minutes.

 

Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by Sunil Kedar Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Govt of Maharashtra. Parinay Fuke, MLC, Dr Praniti Fuke, Corporator, Life President of MSLTA Sharad Kannamwar, Secretary Sunder Iyer, Kumar Kale, President, NDHTA, Rajiv Desai Joint, Secretary MSLTA, Darshn Dakhsindas, Ashok Bhiwapurkar, Rajan Nair and others were also present. Sudhir Bhiwpurkar, Treasurer MSLTA and Tournament Director Welcomed the guests while Vikram Naidu, proposed a vote of thanks. Vijay Naidu conducted the proceedings.