Ankita Raina and Zeel Desai Shine in ITF W35 Kalaburagi
Synopsis
Indian tennis players Ankita Raina and Zeel Desai excel in the ITF W35 Kalaburagi, advancing to the second round, while local talent Soha Sadiq faces a tough exit in a thrilling match. Discover the highlights and key moments from this exciting tournament.
Key Takeaways
Ankita Raina and Zeel Desai both advanced to the second round.
Soha Sadiq faced a tough defeat despite a strong start.
The tournament is being held at Chandrashekhar Patil Stadium .
Indian players are showing promising performances.
Exciting matches are expected in the upcoming rounds.
Kalaburagi, March 4 (NationPress) Indian tennis players Ankita Raina and Zeel Desai moved into the second round of the ITF W35 Kalaburagi tournament on Wednesday, showcasing impressive performances in their opening matches. Meanwhile, Karnataka’s Soha Sadiq exhibited potential before exiting the competition after a significant change in momentum at the Chandrashekhar Patil Stadium.
The eighth seed, Ankita Raina, delivered a steady display to overcome fellow Indian Sonal Patil with a score of 6-1, 6-3. Although Patil started strong by winning the first game, Raina soon took charge, winning six consecutive games to clinch the first set.
The second set mirrored the first, as Raina quickly established a 3-0 lead. Patil fought back, holding serve twice to narrow the gap. Even when Raina led 5-2 and appeared on track to finish the match smoothly, Patil surged back to make it 5-3. Nevertheless, Raina showcased her composure in the next game, wrapping up the match decisively to secure her spot in the next round.
Fifth seed Zeel Desai also advanced following a strong performance against fellow Indian Jennifer Luikham. Desai took the first set 6-2 with consistent baseline play and maintained her dominance in the second set, mixing delicate drop shots with powerful groundstrokes to build a 2-1 lead before closing the match effectively.
Earlier, Karnataka’s Soha Sadiq thrilled the local fans with a quick start against Singapore’s Eva Marie Desvignes, racing to a 4-0 lead in the first set. However, Desvignes made a strong comeback, ultimately winning 7-5, 6-0 to eliminate Sadiq despite her promising beginning.
There was disappointment for another Indian player, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, who had to retire from her match against Elena Burdina due to a medical issue.
Top seed Jasmijn Gimbrere advanced comfortably with a score of 6-2, 6-1 against Aishwarya Jadhav, while sixth seed Thasaporn Naklo also progressed with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Valeria Savinykh. In other matches, Polina Kuharenko defeated Akanksha Dileep Nitture 6-2, 6-1, Anna Sedyasheva triumphed over Sandeepthi Singh Rao 6-2, 6-4, and Elina Nepliy overcame Kashish Bhatia 6-0, 6-4.
In the doubles draw, India’s Sravya Shivani Chilakalapudi partnered with Japan’s Michika Ozeki to secure a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Maayan Laron and Maria Mikhailova, advancing them to the quarterfinals. Third seeds Zeel Desai and Elina Nepliy also progressed with a solid 6-3, 6-4 win against Anna Sedyasheva and Sofia Suslova.
With two more Indian players joining Vaishnavi Adkar in the second round, the competition at the ITF W35 Kalaburagi is poised to heat up.
Point of View
The performances of Ankita Raina and Zeel Desai at the ITF W35 Kalaburagi are commendable, reflecting the growing talent within Indian tennis. Their victories are crucial as they pave the way for future competitions, while Soha Sadiq's early exit reminds us of the unpredictable nature of sports.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the standout players in the ITF W35 Kalaburagi?
Ankita Raina and Zeel Desai have emerged as standout players, both advancing to the second round with confident performances.
What happened to Soha Sadiq in her match?
Soha Sadiq started strong but ultimately lost to Eva Marie Desvignes after a dramatic turnaround.
Where is the ITF W35 Kalaburagi being held?
The tournament is being held at the Chandrashekhar Patil Stadium in Kalaburagi, Karnataka.
How did Ankita Raina perform in her match?
Ankita Raina won decisively against Sonal Patil with scores of 6-1, 6-3.
What are the next steps for the Indian players in the tournament?
With Ankita Raina, Zeel Desai, and Vaishnavi Adkar advancing, they will continue to compete in the next rounds of the tournament.
