Anusha rallies ahead; Pawandeep in Rd 2

Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, September 25

Anusha Verma rallied from a set down to beat Rubani Sidhu in the opening round of the STA-AITA Talent Series (TS-7) Tennis Tournament at the Chandigarh Club here today.

Anusha lost the first set 4-6, but made a strong comeback to stay in the match with a 6-3 win in the second set before wrapping up the match with a 6-4 victory in the decider.

Maitreyi Phogat dismissed Noorpreet Kaur 6-1 6-0, while Samaira Pahwa registered a 6-3 7-5 win over Vishita to move into the second round of he championship.

In the girls’ U-16 category, Pawandeep Kaur had an easy outing against Harnoor Sidhu, helping herself to the second round with a 6-3 7-5 win.  

Sidharth moves ahead

Sidharth Goel, meanwhile, humbled Shubh Negi 6-2 6-1 in the opening round of the boys’ U-16 category. Gurjosh Singh tamed Akash Srinivasan 6-4 6-2, while Nishank Thakur drubbed Deepanshu Chillar 6-1 6-0.   

Gaurav Kumar beat Gurustat Singh Makkar 7-6(3) 6-1 to stay on course for the title. Samarbir Singh Sidhu overwhelmed Arhaan Pahwa 6-3 6-4, while Parth Goel got the better of Shivdev Singh Walia 6-3 6-1. 

Mahismat Kumar overcame Harmanjot Singh in a sew-saw battle to book a berth in the second round. Kumar won the opening set 6-3, but Harmanjot fought his way back into the match with a 6-3 win in the second set. Harmanjot, however, regained his composure to win the decider 6-1. Aryan Thakur outplayed Saksham Singh Salaria 6-2 6-2 in the opening round.

Aarush in main draw

In the boys’ U-14 category, Aarush Sharma defeated Ujjawal Thakur 6-2 6-3 to enter the main draw.

Sarthak Gandhi edged out Yash Jindal 6-1 6-2, while Dhairya Chadha blanked Yash Solanky 6-0 6-0 in the final qualifying round. Sainyam Madaan registered a 6-2 6-1 win over Lakshay Gupta. 

Shubham Singh humbled Kesav Dangi 6-2 6-3 to advance to the main draw, while Jivaj Chawla overcame Yashsvi Balhara in a marathon three setter to stay in contention for the title. Chawla won the opening set 7-5, but Balhara restored the parity with a 6-3 win in the next. Chawla, though, kept his nerve in the final set to seal the match with a 6-3 victory.

Himanshu Gahlawat thumped Shivansh Gupta 6-1 6-3.

Results 

Boys’ U-16 1st round: Sidharth Goel bt Shubh Negi 6-2 6-1, Gurjosh Singh bt Akash Srinivasan 6-4 6-2, Nishank Thakur bt Deepanshu Chillar 6-1 6-0, Gaurav Kumar bt Gurustat Singh Makkar 7-6(3) 6-1, Samarbir Singh Sidhu bt Arhaan Pahwa 6-3 6-4, Parth Goel bt Shivdev Singh Walia 6-3 6-1, Mahismat Kumar bt Harmanjot Singh 6-3 3-6 6-1, Aryan Thakur bt Saksham Singh Salaria 6-2 6-2

Girls’ U-14 1st round: Maitreyi Phogat bt Noorpreet Kaur 6-1 6-0, Samaira Pahwa bt Vishita 6-3 7-5, Anusha Verma bt Rubani Sidhu 4-6 6-3 6-4

Girls’ U-16 1st round: Maitreyi Phogat bt Noorpreet Kaur 6-1 6-0, Samaira Pahwa bt Vishita 6-3 7-5, Anusha Verma bt Rubani Sidhu 4-6 6-3 6-4

Boys’ U-14 qualifiers: Sarthak Gandhi bt Yash Jindal 6-1 6-2, Dhairya Chadha bt Yash Solanky 6-0 6-0, Sainyam Madaan bt Lakshay Gupta 6-2 6-1, Aarush Sharma bt Ujjawal Thakur 6-2 6-3, Shubham Singh bt Kesav Dangi 6-2 6-3, Jivaj Chawla bt Yashsvi Balhara 7-5 3-6 6-3, Himanshu Gahlawat bt Shivansh Gupta 6-1 6-3