Tennis: Nandini Sharma posts win, Balaji concedes walkover

Nandini Sharma came roaring back after dropping the first set, to beat her Danish opponent.

Ankita Raina (file photo).

Nandini Sharma beat Olga Helm of Denmark 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the $15,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament in Italy.

Ankita Raina came through a tough round against Zyue Sun of China in the $60,000 ITF women’s tournament in China, but fell in the second qualifying round to Shuo Feng of China 4-6, 3-6.

Davis Cupper Sriram Balaji won a round in the $75,000 Challenger in China, but gave a walkover in the second qualifying round to Maverick Banes of Australia, as he felt a catch in his back, during the warm up session.

Balaji said that he was feeling much better following treatment, and was looking forward to be ready as the doubles top seed in partnership with Yasutaka Uchiyama of Japan.

The results: $75,000 Challenger men, Zhuhai, China Qualifying singles (second round): Maverick Banes (Aus) w.o. Sriram Balaji; First round: Sriram Balaji bt Wang Chuhan (Chn) 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-4. $60,000 ITF women, Zhuhai, China Quallifying singles (second round): Shuo Feng (Chn) bt Ankita Raina 6-4, 6-3; First round: Ankita Raina bt Zyue Sun (Chn) 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(2). $15,000 ITF women, Solarino, Italy Singles (first round): Nandini Sharma bt Olga Hellm (Den) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.