Prerna Bhambri thread...

[sameerph]

After a long time posting in this thread as Prerna is playing in Turkey futures.

At $10K ITF Women, Antalya, Turkey

[R1] Prerna BHAMBRI (IND,656) d. Vasilisa APONASENKO (RUS,1266) 63 64

[R2] Prerna BHAMBRI (IND,656) l. (8) Yan WANG (CHN,549) 46 46

[sameerph]

Congratulations for Prerna Bhambri for being a national champion on 3 consecutive ocassions and therby equalling the record of Isha Lakhani. Prerna is talented and has all the shots but has somehow failed to make it even to top 500 on pro tour. Probably has something to do with her fitness and tour planning.

In the post match interview, she mentioned that next she will be playing $10K futures in Sweeden starting October 20.

[sameerph]

Congratulations to Prerna Bhambri for her third ITF title this week on grass at Lucknow. Her last one was more than 2 years back in Gulbarga. Last few months have been good for Prerna starting with a final in a $15k tournament in Hongkong in July , 2 SF's and 1 final in 3 tournaments in Hyderabad , her fourth consecutive national title and now this title at Lucknow.

With 12 points from this title , Prerna should move inside top 500 for the first time in her career. Hope she make some good progress now in her career with confidence gained.

[suresh]

Didn't Prerna lose a lot of time last year due to injury?

[sameerph]

Yes, she played fewer tournaments last year. This year she is back playing a lot more and getting some good results. Another one from Bhambri family.

[bujilover]

Gulbarga venue looks to be so lucky for Prerna that she as a top seed won her 4th ITF title and 2nd for the year today defeating 18 year old Riya Bhatia in a 3-set battle.

Here is the summary of her results:

32 W H2H vs PADAMATA, Sneha (IND,NR) 6-1 6-0
16 W H2H vs GIRISHKUMAR PATEL, Dakshata (IND,NR) 6-0 6-2
QF W H2H vs VAIDYA, Kanika (IND,NR) 4-6 6-4 6-2
SF W H2H vs MOMKOONTHOD, Tamachan (THA,806) 6-3 6-2
FR W H2H vs BHATIA, Riya (IND,749) 3-6 7-5 6-4

She has also made the doubles final here losing to the champions Dhruthi and Karman. Good luck to Prerna for next week which is again at the same venue

[sameerph]

Back to back title for Prerna in Gulbarga as she wins another title this week winning all her matches in straight sets.

When 24 points from these 2 titles are updated a week from now, Prerna will get ranked at around 430 which will be a new career high and India no.2 . She has no more points to defend this year and only 5 more in first half of next year. So, if she keeps up this form, she can go up really high in the rankings.

[Tolamu]

Pardon my ignorance. Is Prerna related to Yuki?

[vatsal323]

Pardon my ignorance. Is Prerna related to Yuki?

Yeah, she's Yuki's cousin.

[PKBasu]

They are first cousins. Prerna's brother Prateek was also junior national champion, but chose not to pursue a professional tennis career.

Yuki's sisters Ankita and Sanaa, of course, were professional tennis players too -- albeit for relatively brief periods. Sanaa did an MBA from the US.

[sameerph]

Prerna is now ranked a career high singles ranking of 372 being ranked no. 2 in India and the only player apart from Ankita Raina to be in top 500. Prerna is now actually ranked higher than than the career high ranking of her cousin Sanaa (434) and marginally lower than the other cousin Ankita (332) which is admirable since her cousins were more decorated and expected to do much more. She is showing some good results of late and hope she breaks into top 300 soon.

[sameerph]

Prerna is playing in Korea in the last couple of weeks along with Sri Vaishnavi Peddi Reddy and started with a nice upset win in first round this week. Last week both lost in first round.

At $15K ITF Women, Gimcheon, Korea

[R1] Prerna BHAMBRI (IND,1005) d. (7) Nudnida LUANGNAM (THA,584) 63 60

[R1] Sri Vaishnavi PEDDI REDDY (IND,807) l. Varunya WONGTEANCHAI (THA,668) 36 46

Next,

[R2] Prerna BHAMBRI (IND,1005) vs. Yeong Won JEONG (KOR,879)

[sameerph]

Prerna has an easy win in second round.

At $15K ITF Women, Gimcheon, Korea

[R2] Prerna BHAMBRI (IND,1005) d. Yeong Won JEONG (KOR,879) 61 62

Much tougher match next.

Next,

[QF] Prerna BHAMBRI (IND,1005) vs. (2) Ji-Hee CHOI (KOR,452)

[PKBasu]

Prerna's ranking has collapsed (perhaps because of injury layoffs). But she should be winning this tournament, if she is anywhere near her best form, so the 2nd seed's ranking should be no impediment...

[sameerph]

She lost in straight sets against the second seed. Probably she is still getting there to her top form.

At $15K ITF Women, Gimcheon, Korea

[QF] Prerna BHAMBRI (IND,1005) l. (2) Ji-Hee CHOI (KOR,452) 06 46