National Championship: Rashmikaa Shrivalli Bhamidipaty gets off to a winning start

Rashmikaa Shrivalli Bhamidipaty overcame a hesitant start to beat former finalist Sai Samhitha 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the Fenesta National championship.

Rashmikaa Shrivalli Bhamidipaty who beat Sai Samhitha in the women's first round of the National tennis championship in Delhi on Monday.

Rashmikaa Shrivalli Bhamidipaty overcame a hesitant start to beat the sixth seed and former finalist Sai Samhitha 7-5, 6-3 in the women’s first round of the Fenesta National tennis championship at the DLTA Complex here on Monday.

On a pleasant day, when only the high humidity teased the players and tested their fitness, the fluent stroking Shrivalli bounced back from being down 3-5 in the first set to win in straight sets.

In the prequarterfinals, Shrivalli will play qualifier Jagmeet Kaur who battled for three hours and 35 minutes to tame Vanshika Choudhary 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(2).

In another match, the crafty game of Sai Dedeepya prevailed as she outplayed fifth seed Prathiba Narayan 6-3, 6-1. She will play Shreya Tatavarthy in the next round.

Third seed Vaidehi Chaudhari was in robust form as she blanked Himaanshika Singh. Salsa Aher and Yubarani Banerjee were also in equally impressive form, as they set up a second round against each other.

In the men’s event, second seed Aryan Goveas handled the talented left-hander Neeraj Yashpaul with composure for a fluent win.

Third seed Ishaque Eqbal was in a spot of bother against former national champion Mohit Mayur who won the first set, but retired after one game in the second with a knee injury. It was a disappointment for the packed gathering, as the two provided a high quality fare.

‘’The knee was paining. I didn’t want to push. I hope to play the doubles’’, said Mohit.

Another finalist of the past, Suraj Prabodh battled past Rishi Reddy in three sets.

In the junior boys event, leading players like Dev Javia, Mann Shah, Kabir Hans, Krishan Hooda, Chirag Duhan, Sushant Dabas, Madhwin Kamath and Uddayvir Singh cruised into the second round.

In the junior girls event, in which the seeded players had a bye in the first round, Sanvi Ahluwalia fought past Harleen Kaur 7-6(4), 7-5. In another match, Kavya Palani recovered from the brink of defeat to beat Tanushri Pandey 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4.