Sahaja Yamalapalli Leads Indian Charge at Maha Urja ITF Women's Tennis Tournament

The Maha Urja $25,000 ITF women's tennis tournament, set to commence on Tuesday at the MSLTA Academy in Ramnagar, will witness the participation of Sahaja Yamalapalli as the sole Indian seed. Ranked fifth, Yamalapalli will face Vaidehi Chaudhari in her opening match. She is placed in the third quarter alongside fourth seed Diana Marcinkevica.

In the absence of India's top player Ankita Raina, who is competing in the Petroleum tennis tournament in Delhi, the Indian challenge will be led by national champion Shrivalli Bhamidipaty. Bhamidipaty will begin her campaign against qualifier Anastasia Zolotareva. Zeel Desai will take on Akiko Omae of Japan in her first-round match.

Akanksha Nitture displayed remarkable resilience in the qualifying rounds, saving six match points in the super tie-break to defeat Joel Nichole 14-12. Her reward is a first-round encounter with top seed Irina Maria Bara of Romania.

Other Indian players who have qualified for the main draw include Anjali Rathi, Vaishnavi Adkar, Humera Baharmus, and Soha Sadiq. Wild cards have been awarded to Sowjanya Bavisetti, Maithili Mothe, Sonall Patil, and Sejal Bhutada.

The tournament will provide a stern test for the Indian players, who will face a strong contingent of foreign competitors. The seedings for the tournament are as follows:

1. Irina Maria Bara (Rou)

2. Dalila Jakupovic (Slo)

3. Justina Mikulskyte (Ltu)

4. Diana Marcinkevica (Lat)

5. Sahaja Yamalapalli

6. Fanny Ostlund (Swe)

7. Miriana Tona (Ita)

8. Thasaporn Naklo (Tha)

Tags: #ITFTennis, #MahaUrja, #SahajaYamalapalli, #IndianTennis, #Women'sTennis