The Rs. 2,00,000 AITA ranking tennis tournament at the CLTA Complex saw an intense round of quarterfinals on Wednesday. Both the men’s and women’s events showcased some thrilling matches, with players battling it out for a spot in the semifinals.
Women’s Quarterfinals: Mahika Khanna Overcomes Sara Yadav
In a dramatic quarterfinal clash, qualifier Mahika Khanna showed incredible resilience to defeat Sara Yadav. Mahika came from behind to secure a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory. The match began with Sara Yadav dominating the first set, winning 6-3. Mahika struggled to find her rhythm early on as Sara’s aggressive play pushed her to the defensive. However, Mahika displayed mental toughness and tactical adjustments in the second set. She tightened up her serve and increased her consistency, turning the match in her favor.
The second set saw Mahika break Sara’s serve at a crucial moment, ultimately taking the set 6-4. The final set was a fierce contest, but Mahika maintained her momentum. She capitalized on Sara’s errors and closed out the set 6-3, booking her place in the semifinals.
Mahika Khanna’s Semifinal Challenge: Samriti Punyani
Mahika’s next challenge will be Samriti Punyani, who had a relatively smoother journey to the semifinals. Samriti defeated Saily Thakkar in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6(3). Though Samriti controlled most of the first set with her powerful groundstrokes, Saily fought back in the second set. The second set was a tight contest that went into a tiebreak, where Samriti’s composure helped her seal the victory.
Mahika and Samriti will face off in what promises to be an exciting semifinal. While Mahika has shown she can come back from tough situations, Samriti’s consistent form could make this an evenly matched contest.
Adithi Are Advances to Semifinals
In another women’s quarterfinal match, Adithi Are delivered a solid performance against Bhumika Dahiya, winning 6-4, 6-4. Adithi’s sharp groundstrokes and excellent court coverage kept Bhumika on the backfoot throughout the match. Both sets were closely contested, but Adithi managed to stay in control during key moments, securing the straight-set victory.
Adithi Are vs. Pooja Ingle: Semifinal Showdown
Adithi will now face Pooja Ingle in the semifinals. Pooja’s path to the semifinals was even more straightforward, as she breezed past Snigdha Patibandla 6-1, 6-1. Pooja’s dominant baseline game overwhelmed Snigdha, who struggled to keep up with Pooja’s pace and precision.
Adithi and Pooja will now clash for a spot in the final. Both players have been in strong form throughout the tournament, and this semifinal match is expected to be highly competitive. While Pooja’s aggressive style could give her an edge, Adithi’s consistency and mental strength make her a tough opponent.
Men’s Quarterfinals: Dominant Wins and Thrilling Comebacks
The men’s quarterfinal matches also brought high energy to the court. Debasish Sahoo, Atharva Sharma, Shanker Heisnam, and Sandesh Kurale all advanced to the semifinals after convincing performances in their respective matches.
Debasish Sahoo Defeats Omar Sumer
Debasish Sahoo secured his spot in the semifinals with a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win over Omar Sumer. Debasish’s serve and forehand proved to be decisive, as he controlled the match from start to finish. Omar tried to mount a comeback in the second set, but Debasish’s precision and power proved too much.
Atharva Sharma Shines Against Prasad Ingle
Atharva Sharma put on a dominant display, defeating Prasad Ingle 6-0, 6-2. Atharva’s clean hitting and aggressive baseline game left little room for Prasad to find his footing in the match. After a flawless first set, Atharva continued to pressure Prasad in the second set, securing a quick win to move into the semifinals.
Shanker Heisnam Overcomes Jagmeet Singh
In the most dramatic match of the men’s quarterfinals, Shanker Heisnam fought back from a set down to beat Jagmeet Singh 5-7, 6-2, 6-1. Jagmeet started strong, taking the first set 7-5 with some impressive shot-making. However, Shanker regrouped and raised his level in the second set, dominating the baseline exchanges. He took control of the match by winning the second set 6-2, and carried that momentum into the final set, which he won convincingly 6-1.
Shanker’s ability to adjust his game after a tough first set showed his resilience, and he now moves on to the semifinals.
Sandesh Kurale Cruises Past Shubh Negi
Sandesh Kurale had one of the most lopsided wins in the quarterfinals, defeating Shubh Negi 6-1, 6-0. Sandesh’s consistent play and sharp returns kept Shubh off balance throughout the match. Shubh struggled to handle Sandesh’s serve and failed to mount any real challenge.
Men’s Semifinal Matchups
With the quarterfinals complete, the men’s semifinals are set. Debasish Sahoo will face Atharva Sharma, while Shanker Heisnam will go up against Sandesh Kurale.
Debasish Sahoo vs. Atharva Sharma: A Clash of Titans
Debasish Sahoo and Atharva Sharma will meet in what could be a thrilling semifinal. Both players have shown strong form throughout the tournament, with Debasish’s power game going up against Atharva’s aggressive baseline play. Atharva has yet to drop a set in the tournament, while Debasish’s serve has been a key weapon in his victories. This match could go either way, depending on which player handles the pressure better.
Shanker Heisnam vs. Sandesh Kurale: Momentum vs. Consistency
Shanker Heisnam, fresh off a comeback win, will face the consistent Sandesh Kurale in the second men’s semifinal. Shanker’s ability to come back from a set down in the quarterfinals showed his fighting spirit, but he’ll need to bring his A-game to get past Sandesh, who has been in dominant form. Sandesh’s consistency and focus have been key to his success, and Shanker will need to find a way to break through his defenses.
Semifinal Predictions and Expectations
As the tournament moves into the semifinal stage, both the men’s and women’s events promise exciting matchups. In the women’s draw, Mahika Khanna’s fighting spirit will be tested against the steady form of Samriti Punyani. Mahika’s ability to come back from tough situations gives her an edge, but Samriti’s solid play could tilt the match in her favor.
On the other side, Adithi Are and Pooja Ingle will face off in what could be a battle of consistency vs. aggression. Pooja has been dominating her opponents with aggressive play, but Adithi’s composure under pressure could be a deciding factor in this clash.
In the men’s draw, Debasish Sahoo and Atharva Sharma will meet in what could be a powerful baseline battle. Both players have looked sharp in their previous matches, but Atharva’s relentless attacking style could put Debasish on the defensive. Shanker Heisnam and Sandesh Kurale’s match will also be an intriguing contest of styles. Shanker’s resilience and ability to fight back from difficult situations may make him a tough opponent, but Sandesh’s dominant performance in the quarterfinals cannot be overlooked.
What’s at Stake
The Rs. 2,00,000 AITA ranking tournament provides not only prize money but also valuable ranking points for the players. For many of the semifinalists, a win could mean a significant boost to their rankings, opening up opportunities for higher-level competitions and sponsorships.
For Mahika Khanna, who entered the tournament as a qualifier, reaching the semifinals is already a significant achievement. However, her impressive form suggests she’s not content with just making it this far. A win in the semifinal would cement her as a rising star in Indian tennis.
Samriti Punyani, who has been consistent throughout the tournament, will be aiming for her first AITA title. Her strong form and mental focus make her a serious contender for the championship.
In the men’s draw, Debasish Sahoo and Atharva Sharma will both be looking to claim the title and improve their rankings. Both have played well, but their semifinal clash could be the biggest test they’ve faced so far in the tournament.
Shanker Heisnam and Sandesh Kurale, both known for their fighting spirit and consistency, will be eager to outlast each other in what promises to be a highly competitive semifinal.
Conclusion
The AITA ranking tournament at the CLTA Complex has already delivered some memorable moments. As the tournament moves into the semifinals, the stakes are higher, and the competition fiercer. Both the men’s and women’s semifinals promise thrilling matches, with all the players hungry for a spot in the final.
Mahika Khanna, Samriti Punyani, Adithi Are, and Pooja Ingle will battle it out in the women’s draw, while Debasish Sahoo, Atharva Sharma, Shanker Heisnam, and Sandesh Kurale will compete in the men’s semifinals. With a mix of powerful hitting, tactical brilliance, and mental toughness, these semifinal clashes could shape up to be the highlights of the tournament.
