Mumbai:
Top seed and defending champion Natasha Palha of Goa outclassed Punjab’s Nandini Sharma in straight sets to book her place in the women’s title round of the Rs 13 lakh AITA Ranking Anirudh Desai JVPG Tennis Tournament.
Natasha recorded a facile 6-4 6-2 win over Nandini and will take on 7th seed Rashmi Teltumbde, who defeated second seed Sharrmada Baluu of Karnataka 6-4 6-2 in the other semi-final, in the title clash.
Sharrmada, who twisted her ankle in the first set, was a mere passenger in the second set.
Both Natasha and Rashmi will also feature in the women’s doubles finals after winning the semi-final encounter.
In men’s action, Mumbai’s Aryan Goveas continued his fine form, defeating 8th seed Jayesh Pungaliya of Pune 6-4 7-6 (3) to advance into the men’s singles semi-finals.
The 17-year-old Goveas will take on top seed Mohit Mayur, who accounted for 5th seed Siddharth Vishwakarma of UP 6-4 6-0, in the semis.
The second semi-final will feature third seed Anvit Bendre of Pune and Kunal Anand of Delhi.
While Bendre recovered from the loss of the first set against the wily seventh seed, Vijay Kannan of TN, to win 4-6 6-2 6-1, the experienced Anand was taken the distance by AP’s Sai Saran Byreddy before winning 4-6 6-0 7-6 (1).
Results:
Women singles (semi-finals): 1-Natasha Palha (GA) bt Nandini Sharma (PB) 6-4 6-2; 7-Rashmi Teltumbde (MH) bt 2-Sharrmada Ballu (KA) 6-4 6-0;
Men Singles (Quarter finals): 3-Anvit Bendre (MH) bt 7-Vijay Kannan (TN) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1; 1-Mohit Mayur (TN) bt 5-Siddharth Vishwakarma (UP) 6-4 6-0; Aryan Goveas (MH) bt 8-Jayesh Pungliya (MH) 6-4, 7-6(3); Kunal Anand (DL) bt Sai Saran Byreddy (AP) 4-6, 6-0, 7-6(1)
Women’s doubles (Semi-finals): 1- Natasha Palha (GA) & Sharrmada Balu (KA) bt 4-Moulika Ram (AP) & Aastha Dargude (MH) 7-6(0) 6-1; 2-Shwetaa Rana (DL) & Rashmi Teltumbde (MH) bt 3-Amrita Mukherjee (WB) & Samhitha C Sai (TN) 6-2 6-3.
