The ITF Junior Tennis Tournament at Shanti Academy kicked off with intense competition as top junior players battled for dominance. In the girls’ first round, sixth-seeded Prachi Malik displayed a commanding performance, securing a straight-set victory over fifth-seeded Sunira Thapa of Nepal with a score of 6-3, 6-0. With her aggressive play and well-placed shots, Prachi outclassed her opponent, advancing to the pre-quarterfinals with confidence.
Prachi Malik Sets up Clash with Disha Behera
Prachi will face Disha Behera in the next round. Disha showcased resilience, making a remarkable comeback against wild card entrant Ananya Jain. After dropping the first set 3-6, she fought back to claim the second set in a tense tiebreaker 7-6(2). She maintained momentum to win the final set 6-4, securing her place in the pre-quarterfinals. The upcoming battle between Prachi and Disha promises to be an exciting encounter.
Under-18 Boys: Fierce Competition and Upsets
The boys’ category featured several competitive matches. Sehaj Singh Pawar demonstrated his prowess by defeating Om Verma 7-5, 6-3. Tanussh Ghildyal displayed great composure in his match against Tommaso Rosso from Italy, recovering from a first-set loss to win 6-7(2), 6-0, 6-1. Aahaan Mishra comfortably beat Dhruv Ghanghas 6-3, 6-1, while Aditya Mor outplayed Ashwajit Senjam 6-3, 6-2.
Aashravya Mehra dominated his match, securing a flawless 6-0, 6-0 victory over Ashwin Chauhan. Uzbekistan’s Danila Kvasov showcased his strength with a 7-5, 6-1 victory against Advit Tiwari. Gandharv Kothapalli endured a tough match against Ribhav Saroha, ultimately prevailing 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3. In another impressive performance, Adhiraj Thakur defeated Ayaan Choudhary 6-4, 6-1, while Vishal Vasudev secured a 6-2, 6-2 win over Shaurya Kumar.
Australia’s Kanwar Singh triumphed over Aum Hiren Thakkar with a 6-4, 6-4 win. Aarav Chawla played aggressively, overcoming Channamallikarjuna Yale 6-2, 6-3. Shanker Heisnam edged past Prakaash Sarran in a closely contested match, winning 7-6(3), 6-3. Dev Vipul Patel outperformed Uzbekistan’s Amir Safaev, taking the match 6-3, 6-4. Om Patel overpowered Arsh Walke 6-2, 6-2, while Srikar Doni staged an impressive comeback to defeat Sriniketh Kannan 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-3. Praneel Sharma closed the day with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory over Ahan Shetty.
Under-18 Girls: Intense Battles and Dominant Performances
The girls’ category witnessed several one-sided victories and thrilling contests. Aishwarya Jadhav displayed dominance, dismantling Aradhyaa Verma 6-0, 6-0. Jaya Kapoor followed suit, dispatching Saanvi Misra 6-1, 6-1. Uzbekistan’s Samira Khazieva faced an early scare against Reet Arora but recovered to secure a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory.
Parthsarthi Mundhe controlled the game against Nandini Kansal, winning 6-2, 6-2. Sohini Mohanty defeated Maahira Bhatia with a convincing 6-2, 6-0 scoreline. Anandita Upadhyay showcased her skill, beating Divya Ungrish 6-2, 6-3. Disha Behera’s comeback victory over Ananya Jain (3-6, 7-6(2), 6-4) added excitement to the round. Prachi Malik displayed precision and power in her 6-3, 6-0 win over Sunira Thapa.
Pallavi Patel emerged victorious over Manshi Singh in a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 match. Iha Joshi overpowered Eshanya Khattar 6-0, 6-3, while Deepshika Vinayagamurthy dominated Shahzoda Artibaeva from Uzbekistan 6-0, 6-2. Diya Chaudhary exhibited superior skill, defeating Aahida Singh 6-1, 6-3. Harsha Oruganti outclassed Riya Sachdeva 6-2, 6-1, while Aahan breezed past Kevika Singh 6-0, 6-1.
Mexico’s Ananya Pallath Hooli made a statement with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 win over Aarnavi Tomar Aura. Diya Ramesh wrapped up the day’s action with a solid 6-2, 6-1 victory against Janhavi Chougule.
Looking Ahead: Exciting Matchups in the Next Round
The pre-quarterfinals promise intense battles, with players looking to continue their dominant runs. The spotlight remains on Prachi Malik as she takes on Disha Behera in what is expected to be a high-energy encounter. Prachi’s powerful baseline play will be tested against Disha’s resilience and fighting spirit.
In the boys’ category, Aashravya Mehra and Danila Kvasov have shown formidable performances and will look to extend their winning streaks. Kanwar Singh and Aarav Chawla’s matchup also promises an exciting contest as both players aim to assert dominance on the court.
Among the girls, Aishwarya Jadhav and Jaya Kapoor remain strong contenders, having delivered commanding wins in the first round. Uzbekistan’s Samira Khazieva and India’s Deepshika Vinayagamurthy also aim to continue their winning momentum as the competition intensifies.
The ITF Junior Tennis Tournament has begun with high-intensity matches, showcasing the exceptional talent of young tennis players. Prachi Malik’s stellar performance, along with notable wins from Sehaj Singh Pawar, Aishwarya Jadhav, and Ananya Pallath Hooli, has set the stage for thrilling pre-quarterfinal matchups.
With the competition heating up, fans can expect more gripping encounters, dramatic comebacks, and standout performances in the upcoming rounds. As the tournament progresses, every point, game, and set will play a crucial role in determining the champions of this prestigious junior event.
