MSLTA-ITF Futures: Raina,Bhambri reach quarterfinals

Junior players Ankita Raina of Pune,Aishwarya Agarwal and Prerna Bhambri of Delhi upset seeded players to move into the ladies singles quarterfinals of the $10000 MSLTA-AITA Women’s ITF Tennis Futures being organized by MSLTA at the Balewadi Tennis complex in Pune .

In the second round matches played today,Aishwarya Agarwal created the biggest upset of the day by knocking out third seeded veteran Sanaa Bhambri 4-6,7-5,6-3 to record one of the most impressive wins of her career. Sanaa’s Cousin Prerna kept the Bhambri family flag high scoring a 6-2,6-3 win over seventh seeded Jung Yoon Shin of Korea.Ankita Raina who shifted to Pune to further her tennis career,played consistent tennis to take a 6-1,4-2 lead over fifth seeded Shweta Kumari Solanki ,before Solanki retired. The 15-year-old Raina who is supported by the city based LAKSHYA,made it to her maiden quarterfinal round in a women’s event.

Raina’s compatriot Rashmi Teltumbde was,however,unlucky and went down fighting to second seeded veteran Rushmi Chakravarthi 3-6,6-1,6-2. Top seeded Poojashree Venkatesha,fourth seeded Japanese Miki Miyamura ,eighth seeded Shivika Burman and sixth seeded Elodie Rogge Dietrich also made it to the last eight of the event.