ITF Women’s Bengaluru Open: Sahaja reaches quarterfinals, Ankita knocked out
ITF Women’s Bengaluru Open: Sahaja reaches quarterfinals, Ankita knocked out
India’s Sahaja Yamalapalli overcame an inconsistent Maria Timofeeva 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 in the second round of the USD 1,00,000 KPB Trust Women’s Open tennis tournament at the KSLTA courts here on Thursday.
Sahaja breezed through the first set, as fourth-seed Timofeeva (world no. 134) struggled with unforced errors. The Russian, whose confidence rose tremendously when her serve settled into good rhythm, found her bearing in the second set.
Timofeeva’s serve failed her in the decider, leading her game to crumble once again. Sahaja (world no. 315), equipped with a powerful flat serve and crisp backhand, duly completed her second straight win over a higher-ranked opponent. Sahaja will take on gritty southpaw Sara Bejlek in the quarterfinal on Friday.
“I came back a completely different person in the third set. I let go of all the negativity of the second set. I came out super fresh just like in the first set and played my best tennis to close out the match,” Sahaja said.
Fellow Indian Ankita Raina lost to top seed Tatjana Maria 1-6, 3-6. Tatjana, 37, slowed the pace down with slices, and lulled Ankita into a rally battle. The German, who can keep the ball in play all day, emerged a comfortable winner.
2022 Chennai Open winner Linda Fruhvirtova took out defending champion Darja Semenistaja 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
