Did Sports Min Mandaviya Celebrate Jensi Kanabar's Historic Win at the Aus Open Asia-Pacific Elite 14 & Under Trophy?
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New Delhi, Jan 31 (NationPress) The Union Minister for Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Jensi Dipakbhai Kanabar, marking her as the first Indian female to triumph at the Australian Open Asia-Pacific Elite 14 & Under Trophy.
Jensi displayed an impressive comeback during the 2026 tournament, overcoming a 3-6, 0-2 deficit to outplay home favorite Musemma Cilek.
“From Junagadh to Melbourne—India’s pride serves an ace! Kudos to our Khelo India athlete Jensi Kanabar from Junagadh, Gujarat, for her remarkable victory in the Australian Open Asia-Pacific Elite 14 & Under Trophy 2026, making history as the first Indian female to achieve this milestone,” Mandaviya expressed on X.
Jensi's win is a testament to the resilience emerging from India’s regional tennis hotspots. Defeating a physically imposing opponent amid a supportive local crowd showcased the remarkable fortitude she displayed as she lifted the trophy at Melbourne Park.
Born in Junagarh, this young prodigy reached the finals of Melbourne Park without losing a single set. In the semi-finals, she faced Aoi Yoshida of Japan, demonstrating nerves of steel. After a closely contested first set that led to a tiebreak, she surged ahead in the second to secure her spot in the final.
She dominated Group A with a perfect 3-0 record, showcasing her prowess against the region’s top young talents.
Notably, she claimed victory in eight consecutive sets in Melbourne, emphasizing her baseline consistency that has become her signature during this tournament.
Last November, at just 13 years old, Jensi's remarkable performance earned her the ITF J60 Guwahati singles title, where she competed against opponents up to four years her senior.