ITF Junior Bengaluru 2023: Saumrita Verma Triumphs Over Top-Seed Sai Janvi

Add as a preferred source on Google

Bengaluru, Sep 7: In a surprising turn of events, Saumrita Jagatdeo Verma overcame number one seed, Sai Janvi, at the International Tennis Federation Junior 2023 J30 Bengaluru tournament on Thursday (September 7).

Verma snuck into the girls' semifinals following her 0-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory over Janvi at the centre courts of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association. Losing the initial set without a single win, Verma seemed to be on the brink of defeat.

However, she significantly turned the tides in the second set, remarkable for her superior baseline game that led to a 6-2 win and forced the decider. Despite nerves that could have wavered, she clung on, winning 7-5.

Third-seed Amodini Naik, having comfortably outclassed Avani Chitale 6-4, 6-2, will be Verma's opponent in the semifinals on September 8. Unfortunately, Harshini Nagaraj took a bitter exit from the tournament, suffering a 6-4, 2-6, 5-7 quarterfinals defeat to Laxmisri Dandu.

Dandu will compete against Saumya Ronde during the semi-finals. On the boys' side, Gandharv Gourav Kothapally's successful journey in the KSLTA-ITF J30 tournament received a rude awakening when he lost 3-6, 2-6 to Aradhya Kshitij.

Gourav, however, will feature in the doubles final, pairing with Sriniketh Kannan to salvage his tournament. Top-seeded boy, Sehaj Singh Pawar, cruised past Keshav Goel to secure a semi-finals spot with 6-2, 6-2 win.

Pawar's contender for the finals will be Chandan Shivaraj, who progressed to the next stage after a prolonged, exciting battle against Samarth Sahita (7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (7-5)).

Semi-final line-ups:

Boys: Sehaj Singh Pawar will play against Chandan Shivaraj. Aradhya Kshitij will compete against Kevin Titus Suresh.

Girls: Saumrita Jagatdeo Verma will take on Amodini Naik. Laxmisri Dandu will challenge Saumya Ronde.