ITF W25 Dubai, March 29- April 4, 2021

[sameerph]

Ankita will be second seed in singles here and will mostly be among top 2 seeds in doubles too and few Indians playing in singles qualies. So, opening a thread for this tournament.

Today, 19 year old Humera Baharmus upset 2019 US open junior singles semi finalist and doubles winner Oksana Selekhmeteva in first qualifying round and Prerna lost in a close match.

[Q1] (4) Riya Bhatia (IND,361) bye

[Q1] Humera Baharmus (IND,1222) d. (12) Oksana Selekhmeteva (RUS,540) 61 36 10-4

[Q1] Prerna Bhambri (IND,NR) l. (16) Ji-Hee Choi (KOR,812) 62 06 8-10

Next,

[Q2] (4) Riya Bhatia (IND,361) vs. Humera Baharmus (IND,1222)

So, one of them will make the main draw to join Ankita. Second seeded Ankita will meet a qualifier in first round. Hope it is not a winner of Humera and Riya.

[PKBasu]

Humera Baharmus seems the next Hyderabadi tennis sensation. Premature to call her the next Sania, but she seems to be an exciting talent, and this was a mighty impressive win.

[Atithee]

How long before you open a thread for her, PKB

Just kidding. We desperately need new blood that follows Sania’s trailblazing efforts.


Just read that Kapil Dev is planning to popularize golf in India. That’s one game where I think we can achieve international success.

[sameerph]

But, Riya beat her this time.

[Q2] (4) Riya Bhatia (IND,361) d. Humera Baharmus (IND,1222) 64 63

Main draw -

Singles-

[R1] Ankita Raina (IND,169) vs. (Q) Shalimar Talbi (BLR,355)

[R1] (Q) Riya Bhatia (IND,361) vs. Sofya Lansere (RUS,268)

Doubles -

[R1] (1) Raina/Savinykh (IND/RUS) v Grey/Kostova (GBR/BUL)
[R1] Bhatia/Bulgaru (IND/ROU) vs. Cengiz/Oz (TUR/TUR)
[R1] Baharmus/Bhambri (IND/IND) vs. (4)Danilina/Lansere (KAZ/RUS)

[jayakris]

Ok, so PKB won't start a thread for humara Humera yet. Baharmus is on the outside looking in; not Undarmus yet. But it is good to see a seemingly talented girl emerging.

[prasen9]

Why is Bulgaru representing Romania?

[Kumar]

How long before you open a thread for her, PKB

Just kidding. We desperately need new blood that follows Sania’s trailblazing efforts.


Just read that Kapil Dev is planning to popularize golf in India. That’s one game where I think we can achieve international success.

I know Lot of indian origin kids in America taking up golf! 19 year old Akshay Bhatia is the latest phenom on America golf scene

[PKBasu]

A Belarusian named Shalimar Talbi? Wow, that is interesting. She's probably from the tiny Tatar minority in Belarus. Shalimar Talbi played at Old Dominion University, and was ranked among the top-3 women college players in her freshman year (2019). But, if Ankita has recovered from the jet lag (after he trip back from Mexico), Ankita should win this R1 match.

[Atithee]

I know Lot of indian origin kids in America taking up golf! 19 year old Akshay Bhatia is the latest phenom on America golf scene

But, this is about kids in India picking up golf.

[Dinesh]

Ankita retired midway after taking the first 6-1 and trailing the second one 1-4.

[sameerph]

Do not know what really happened there. Must be something serious as Ankita had won the first set comfortably.

Riya came up with a nice upset win though. Good win for her after a long time.

[R1] Ankita Raina (IND,169) l. (Q) Shalimar Talbi (BLR,355) 61 14 retd.

[R1] (Q) Riya Bhatia (IND,361) d. Sofya Lansere (RUS,268) 36 63 63

Next,

[R2] (Q) Riya Bhatia (IND,361) vs. Anastasia Zakharova (RUS,254)

[suresh]

Hope Ankita's injury is not serious. Good win from Riya -- nice response to not making the Fed (BJK) Cup team.

[PKBasu]

Worrying and ill-timed injury for Ankita. I hope it isn't too serious.
Good to see Riya Bhatia pulling off a couple of excellent wins. She was in awful form during the India Futures, but seems to have recovered nicely at last.

[sameerph]

It was a remarkable turnaround in form for Riya today. This is a career best win by Riya. Her previous best win was over 292nd ranked Costic in Uzbekistan in 2019. And before this Riya has been losing to players ranked in 700-1000 this year including at Indian tournaments.

[Dinesh]

Ankita is still on the OOP for tomorrow for her first round doubles, so this might not be a serious injury/illness.