KPB Trust Women’s Open: Sahaja-Vaishnavi, Ankita-Naiktha crash out in first round

Indian pairs falter in doubles at $100,000 KPB Trust Women’s Open tennis tournament in Bengaluru, while Riya Bhatia advances in singles.

Bengaluru: The Indian pair of Sahaja Yamalapalli and Vaishnavi Adkar frittered away the advantage against Fruhvirtova sisters, Brenda and Linda, in the opening round of the doubles action of the $100,000 KPB Trust Women’s Open tennis tournament at the KSLTA courts here on Tuesday.

The Indians, who fought back after the loss of the opening set, failed to close out the match and bowed out 2-6, 7-6 (0), 9-11 to the Czech pair.

In another match, Ankita Raina and her partner Naiktha Bains of Britain, winners of the doubles title in New Delhi three days ago, went out in straight sets, losing 3-6, 2-6 to Dalila Jakupovic of Slovenia and Brazil’s Laura Pigossi.

India’s Riya Bhatia gained a lucky loser spot in the singles main draw after the withdrawal of Japana’s Sara Saito on medical grounds. Riya had retired from her final qualifier against Dalila Jakupovic.