New Delhi: Delhi’s Yuki Bhambri, a strong contender for the title, was in superb form as he decimated a hapless Vivek Shokeen 6-1, 6-1 in the first round of the Open Fenesta National Tennis Championship, which witnessed some great action between the heavyweights here on Tuesday.
Yuki, considered to be one of the more promising players in the national scene, had been struggling with injuries this year, but the youngster on Tuesday used the conditions to good effect against Shokeen and won the match without much sweat.
Meanwhile, Davis Cupper Vishnu Vardhan prevailed over 1999 champion Sunil Kumar Sipeya 7-6 (3), 6-3. Having done well for himself in the last one year, Vishnu played some solid tennis and displayed fantastic ground-strokes to overcome his opponent. A lot was expected from Sunil, who as a former champion was familiar with the conditions here, but when it came to pushing a fitter opponent, Sunil lacked the right direction today.
In another match, Niten Kirtanne from Maharashtra was a prominent winner against Mandeep Kumar with a score of 6-1, 6-4.
However, there was no cheer for the Bhambri family in the women’s section, as Yuki’s cousin Prerna Bhambri lost to Rutuja Bhosle 2-6, 6-4, 7-5. One of the newer entrants in the domestic tennis scene, Prerna lost the first set 2-6. However, she came back strong in the second and won it by 6-4. But, thereafter, Rutuja took control and proved to be a stronger player and won the decider 7-5.
Seasoned pro Rushmi Chakravarty was another prominent winner as she whipped Delhi girl Vaniya Dangwal 6-1, 6-0. Having been in the domestic circuit for over two decades, Rushmi’s experience always comes in handy in the home conditions. And up against a weaker opponent, Rushmi used her fluency from the baseline to good effect as she dropped just one game against Vaniya.
Isha Lakhani also ensured she was not going to end her progress so soon. On Tuesday, after having made it to the main draw, it was herturn to dump Aishwarya Aggarwal 6-0, 6-1.
By Akshi Aggarwal
Indian Sports News
