Indian Tennis Star Ankita Raina Advances to Semi-finals in ITF Tournament

India, 13 December 2025 — Ankita Raina, India's top-ranked female tennis player, has advanced to the semi-finals of the ITF Women's Circuit event in Pune. Raina secured her place in the last four by defeating Japan's Nao Hibino in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, on Thursday. The tournament is being held at the Balewadi Stadium and features players from around the world competing for valuable ranking points and prize money. Raina, who is seeded second in the tournament, displayed a commanding performance on her home turf, using her strong baseline game to outmaneuver her opponent. This victory marks an important step for Raina as she aims to improve her world ranking and gain momentum for the upcoming WTA events. The Indian tennis community is closely following Raina's progress, as she remains one of the country's most promising female athletes on the international tennis circuit. Her performance in Pune is essential not only for her individual career but also for raising the profile of Indian tennis on a global stage. The ITF Women's Circuit event in Pune is part of a series of tournaments designed to provide competitive opportunities for professional players. With Raina's advancement to the semi-finals, Indian fans are hopeful for a potential victory in the finals, which would be a significant boost to her career. As the tournament progresses, Raina's next match will be against Sara Sorribes Tormo from Spain, which promises to be a challenging encounter. The semi-final match is scheduled for Friday, and the outcome will determine whether Raina can move closer to claiming the title.