L&T Mumbai Open WTA $ 125K Series
Singles tennis action will kick off at the newly laid courts of the Cricket Club of India at 1.00 pm on Tuesday, with third seed Sachia Vickery of USA taking on Israel’s Deniz Khazaniuk in a main draw first round match of the L&T Mumbai Open WTA $125K Series, organized by MSLTA and CCI.
The four Indian players will begin their singles campaign on Wednesday, with Ankita Raina facing Rutuja Bhosle, Karman Kaur Thandi taking on top seed Zheng Saisai of China and qualifier Pranjala Yadlapalli meeting 5th seed Luksika Kumkhum of Thailand.
Incidentally, however, Ankita Raina will also face off against Rutuja Bhosle in the doubles, on Tuesday, with their respective partners. India’s Prarthana Thombare will also feature in doubles action on Tuesday.
Sachia’s match on centre court will be followed by last year’s runner-up and 2nd seed Dalila Jakupovic of Slovakia taking on Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova. Also featuring in tomorrow’s action will be wild card and 2103 Wimbledon runner-up Sabine Lisicki of Germany against eighth seed Nao Hibino of Japan.
Speaking on her upcoming match against Rutuja, Ankita said, “I have played Rutuja a couple of times in the past and I am expecting this to be a good contest.” She had no comments to offer on the draw and said,” I have not seen the draw in detail as I always take it one match at a time.”
Expressing satisfaction with the opportunity provided to Indian players by the L&T Mumbai Open, Ankita said,” After reaching my first quarter-final at the Mumbai Open last year, my career graph as climbed upwards and I am hoping to do better in the 2nd edition. The Mumbai Open is a great opportunity for female tennis players in India.”
A total of 11 singles matches and three doubles matches will be played on Tuesday.