Shruti Ahlawat wins ITF W15 New Delhi singles title, defeats Kolonus 7-5, 6-2, 7-6
Synopsis
Shruti Ahlawat's commanding victory at the ITF W15 New Delhi underscores a shift in Indian women's tennis: homegrown tournaments are now attracting global-ranked opponents and producing breakthrough moments — like 14-year-old Jensi Kanabar's quarterfinal run — without requiring costly overseas travel. HCL's backing signals corporate appetite for grassroots tennis infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
Shruti Ahlawat won the ITF W15 New Delhi singles title on 3 May , defeating Poland's Zuzanna Kolonus 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 .
Ksenia Laskutova and Ekaterina Yashina (Russia) claimed the doubles crown, beating Arina Arifullina and Michika Ozeki (Japan) 6-4, 6-3 .
The tournament ran from 27 April to 3 May at DLTA Stadium with 74 players , including 62 Indians , competing for USD 15,000 in prize money.
Jensi Kanabar , aged 14 , became the youngest Indian to reach a professional ITF women's quarterfinals.
HCL Group title sponsorship reflects corporate commitment to building domestic women's tennis infrastructure.
Shruti Ahlawat claimed the singles championship at the ITF W15 New Delhi on 3 May, defeating Poland's Zuzanna Kolonus with a commanding 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 scoreline at the DLTA Stadium. The week-long tournament, which ran from 27 April to 3 May, featured 74 players competing for world ranking points and a prize purse of USD 15,000, with 62 Indian athletes strengthening the domestic women's tennis ecosystem.
Doubles crown and standout performances
The doubles title went to Russia's Ksenia Laskutova and Ekaterina Yashina, who defeated Japan's Arina Arifullina and Michika Ozeki 6-4, 6-3 on 2 May. Beyond the finals, the tournament underscored emerging Indian talent: 14-year-old Jensi Kanabar became the youngest Indian to reach the singles quarterfinals of a professional ITF women's event, a milestone that signals depth in the junior pipeline. Other notable Indian competitors included Zeel Desai, Akansha Dileep Nitture, and Sonal Patil.
International field elevates competition
The draw included players from Russia, Japan, the United States, and Poland, providing Indian competitors with high-level international exposure without the burden of overseas travel. This home-soil advantage — competing against global-ranked opponents in familiar conditions — is increasingly recognised as a catalyst for accelerating player development in emerging tennis markets.
Industry backing and ecosystem growth
Sundar Mahalingam, president of strategy at HCL Group, the tournament's title sponsor, said:
Point of View
Eliminating the travel-and-cost barrier that historically forced promising Indians abroad. Jensi Kanabar's quarterfinal run at 14 is the real story — it suggests a pipeline. Whether HCL's backing sustains beyond one season, and whether other corporates follow, will determine if this becomes a trend or a one-off narrative.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the ITF W15 New Delhi singles title?
Shruti Ahlawat won the singles championship on 3 May , defeating Poland's Zuzanna Kolonus 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 in the final at DLTA Stadium .
When did the ITF W15 New Delhi tournament take place?
The tournament ran from 27 April to 3 May at the DLTA Stadium in New Delhi, with the singles final held on 3 May and the doubles final on 2 May .
How many Indian players competed in the tournament?
A total of 62 Indian athletes competed out of 74 players in the draw, making it a predominantly home-based event with international participation.
Who was the youngest Indian to reach the quarterfinals?
Jensi Kanabar , aged 14 , became the youngest Indian to reach the singles quarterfinals of a professional ITF women's tournament during this event.
Who won the doubles title?
Russia's Ksenia Laskutova and Ekaterina Yashina won the doubles crown, defeating Japan's Arina Arifullina and Michika Ozeki 6-4, 6-3 on 2 May .
