Top seed Ribhav Saroha and third seed Paranjay Siwach opened their U-16 campaigns with commanding first-round victories at the Fenesta Open National Tennis Championships at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) Complex in New Delhi on Monday, 12 October. Saroha, fresh from clinching the U-18 boys' singles title the previous Saturday, defeated Raghav Sarode 6-4, 6-2, while Siwach dismantled Bhavik Mittal 6-1, 6-1 to signal intent in the junior national event.

Saroha Eyes a Rare Double

Having already won the U-18 crown just days earlier, Saroha walked onto court as the man to beat in the U-16 draw. He was measured but confident after his opening win. 'The confidence is high. If I am performing well in U-18s, obviously my confidence is very high in U-16s as well. I played against Raghav Sarode, and he is a really good friend of mine. The first set was close, but in the second set I was able to pull off quite easily. It was a good match for me,' Saroha said.

Saroha was equally clear-eyed about the challenge ahead, warning against complacency in what he described as a highly competitive national field. 'I am working really hard in the second week also for the U-16 title. I have to grind in U-16 as well because you can't take anything easily in Fenesta Open, as everyone is really good in nationals. The confidence is really high because I won the U-18s, but I can't take anything lightly. I am really focused on the U-16 title as well,' he added.

Siwach Finds His Rhythm Despite Slow Start

Third seed Siwach was equally dominant, dispatching Bhavik Mittal in straight sets without dropping a game in either. Reflecting on the match, Siwach acknowledged that his opponent had started well before he took control. 'It's fine, it was a great match, and he was playing good in the start, and at the start of the second set also. But I tried to stay in the game, and I played good,' Siwach said.

Rain Disrupts Schedule; Extended Play Planned

Play on Monday ran nearly four hours behind schedule after heavy morning rain disrupted proceedings at the DLTA Complex. Organisers announced plans to extend the playing day and have also scheduled an extended programme for Tuesday. A portion of Monday's remaining matches will be carried over to Tuesday as a result.

Elsewhere in the Boys' U-16 draw, eighth seed Vivaan Mirdha beat Mahijith Kaura 6-1, 6-2, and fifth seed Divey Malik defeated Sai Kanithi 7-6(3), 6-3. Seventh seed Jeevith Sathish overcame Charchit Boora 6-4, 6-2, and 12th seed Monodip Dey swept past Heet Kandoriya 6-4, 6-0. Notably, fourth seed Yash Sharma fell to Aaryan Kirrtane 2-6, 6-4, [10-6] in a first-round upset.

Girls' U-16 and U-14 Action Gets Underway

In the Girls' U-16 singles, Rabiah Dullet defeated Pun Pratiksha 7-5, 6-1, and Pooja Nagaraj registered a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win over Aayushri Tarange. Sarithra Entoori edged Japji Badohal 7-6(3), 6-4 in a tight contest. Aniha Gavinolla recorded one of the most emphatic results of the day, beating Sarah Rais 6-0, 6-0, while 10th seed Tejaswi Manneni survived a match tie-break to eliminate fifth seed Miraya Agrawal 6-2, 4-6, [10-5] in the day's notable seeded clash. The U-14 girls' competition also commenced, with Saanvi Mohan and Rishita Yadav among the early winners.

With the tournament's second week now fully in motion, all eyes will be on whether Saroha can complete an unprecedented U-18 and U-16 double at this year's Fenesta Open.