In a tennis spectacle that marked the return of top-tier matches to Mumbai after a six-year hiatus, Indian talents Shrivalli Bhamidipaty and Zeel Desai stole the spotlight, causing major upsets in the first round qualifying matches at the L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125K.
Debutant Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, at just 22, displayed an impressive blend of poise and confidence on Centre Court at the Cricket Club of India. Facing off against the formidable second seed Valentini Grammatikopoulou from Greece, Shrivalli turned the tables to secure a straight-set victory, winning 6-3, 6-2. The Indian National champion showcased resilience, overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the first set, dominating rallies, and sealing the deal with a satisfying win.
In her post-match remarks, Shrivalli expressed, “Honestly, since it was my debut game, I was just keen on going out there and having a good game. The organisers (MSLTA and WTA) are doing a great job, and we now have a lot of women’s tournaments, which is encouraging us to work harder.”
Wildcard entrant Zeel Desai continued the Indian success story, brushing aside the challenge of Greece’s Sapfo Sakellaridi with a convincing 6-2, 6-1 victory. Familiar with the playing conditions, Desai’s fast start left her Greek opponent with no room for a comeback.
Desai remarked, “Playing in conditions that were familiar to me, I just wanted to play my best tennis and use my strengths to the best of my ability.”
Unseeded Vaidehi Chaudhari advanced to the second round as her opponent, fourth seed Dejana Radanovic, retired hurt while trailing 2-3. However, wildcard recipients Madhurima Sawant and Sameeksha Shroff faced tough challenges. Sawant fell to Korea’s Sohyun Park (1-6, 1-6), while Shroff was outplayed by France’s Amandine Hesse in a 6-1, 6-0 defeat.
In a thrilling match, Lina Glushko of Israel scored a stunning upset against fifth seed En-Shuo Liang of Chinese Taipei, winning 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(5) and advancing to the second round.
As the L&T Mumbai Open unfolds, the emergence of Indian talent and the unexpected triumphs on the court promise an exciting and competitive tournament ahead. The players, grateful for the opportunities provided by tournaments like WTA L&T Mumbai Open 125K, are eager to showcase their skills at a higher level.
The Sportz Planet Desk
