Indian Tennis Star Ankita Raina Advances in ITF Event in Dubai

India, 13 December 2025 — Indian tennis player Ankita Raina progressed to the semifinals of the ITF Women's Circuit tournament in Dubai on Tuesday. Raina secured a hard-fought victory against Italy's Lucrezia Stefanini, winning 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in a match that lasted over two hours.

The match took place at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre in Dubai, where Raina showcased her resilience and tactical acumen. Despite losing the second set, the 30-year-old from Gujarat managed to regain her momentum in the decider, sealing her place in the last four.

This victory is significant for Raina, who has been striving to improve her international rankings. She is currently ranked 159th in the WTA standings and aims to break into the top 100. The ongoing tournament in Dubai is part of her broader campaign to accumulate ranking points.

Raina will face Russia's Anastasia Tikhonova in the semifinals. Tikhonova, ranked 120th, has also been in impressive form, setting up a promising encounter between the two players.

The ITF Women's Circuit serves as a crucial platform for players like Raina to gain competitive experience and improve their standings in the professional tennis circuit. The tournament in Dubai is one of several events in the region that contribute to the growth and visibility of tennis for Indian athletes.