Bengaluru, Feb 18 (NationPress) The first-round matches of the KPB Trust ITF Women’s Open W100 Bengaluru 2026 continued on Wednesday, witnessing Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty securing her spot in the Round of 16 alongside Sahaja Yamlapali and Vaishnavi Adkar. In a nail-biting first-round women's singles match held at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium, she triumphed over Francesca Curmi (MLT) with scores of 7-6(6), 6-4.

The match kicked off with a fiercely contested first set. Bhamidipaty fired a few aces to maintain her serve, while Curmi made a breakthrough in the third game, engaging in a series of drawn-out baseline exchanges to gain an upper hand. However, Bhamidipaty quickly countered, breaking back, but Curmi regained the lead with another break and held her serve. Remaining composed, Bhamidipaty broke again in the eighth game, leveling the score.

As both players engaged in extended rallies, the set proceeded to a tiebreak. Bhamidipaty faltered on a set point due to an unforced error after maneuvering Curmi across the baseline but swiftly bounced back to clinch the set with a powerful ace.

In the second set, Bhamidipaty established an early break to seize control. As the match wore on, Curmi began to show signs of fatigue, and a series of unforced errors led to another break for Bhamidipaty in the seventh game. While Curmi managed to break back, Bhamidipaty remained focused and concluded the set with a 6-4 victory.

Earlier in the day, Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi faced a setback against the fifth seed Polina Iatcenko, losing with scores of 1-6, 6-1, 0-6. Revathi struggled with her returns and committed numerous unforced errors in the first set but came back strong in the second, equalizing the match as Iatcenko lost focus. Nonetheless, mistakes resurfaced in the decider, allowing Iatcenko to take a 4-0 lead. Despite Revathi's efforts to extend the fifth game with a prolonged deuce, she could not capitalize, and Iatcenko ultimately secured the match.

Top seed Talia Gibson also advanced, defeating Vaidehee Chaudhari with a score of 6-4, 6-0 after a competitive first set. Additionally, third seed Hanne Vandewinkel triumphed over Ya-Hsuan Lee 6-1, 6-2, while second seed Lanlana Tararudee overcame Victoria Milovanova 6-1, 6-4. Seventh seed Elena Pridankina edged out Eri Shimizu 7-6(5), 6-4.

In other singles results, Mei Yamaguchi defeated Anastasia Kulikova 3-6, 6-0, 6-1; Kristiana Sidorova bested Sohyun Park 4-6, 6-2, 6-3; Arina Gabriela Vasilescu won against Priska Madelyn Nugroho 6-2, 6-3; and Jasmijn Gimbrere overcame Misaki Matsuda 7-5, 7-5.

In the women’s doubles first round, Anastasia Kulikova (FIN) and Kristiana Sidorova triumphed over top seeds Harriet Dart (GBR) and Nicole Fossa Huergo (ARG) in a closely contested match, winning 6-3, 0-6, 10-8.

As we look forward to tomorrow's matches, Indian players face tough challenges. Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty will take on third seed Hanne Vandewinkel in a critical second-round clash. Meanwhile, wildcard Vaishnavi Adkar is set to meet eighth seed Mai Hontama, presenting an important opportunity against an experienced competitor. Additionally, Sahaja is scheduled to compete against top seed Talia Gibson, who showcased a commanding performance in her first round.

Results:

Singles Round of 32:

Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty (IND) bt Francesca Curmi (MLT) 7-6(6), 6-4; 5-Polina Iatcenko bt Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi (IND) 6-1, 1-6, 6-0; 1-Talia Gibson (AUS) bt Vaidehee Chaudhari (IND) 6-4, 6-0; 2-Lanlana Tararudee (THA) bt Victoria Milovanova 6-1, 6-4; 3-Hanne Vandewinkel (BEL) bt Ya-Hsuan Lee (TPE) 6-1, 6-2; 7-Elena Pridankina bt Eri Shimizu (JPN) 7-6(5), 6-4; Mei Yamaguchi (JPN) bt Anastasia Kulikova (FIN) 3-6, 6-0, 6-1; Kristiana Sidorova bt Sohyun Park (KOR) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3; Arina Gabriela Vasilescu (ROU) bt Priska Madelyn Nugroho (INA) 6-2, 6-3; Jasmijn Gimbrere (NED) bt Misaki Matsuda (JPN) 7-5, 7-5

Doubles Round of 16:

Anastasia Kulikova (FIN) / Kristiana Sidorova bt 1-Harriet Dart (GBR) / Nicole Fossa Huergo (ARG) 6-3, 0-6, 10-8