Indian tennis ended the doubles competition at ITF W35 Solapur tournament on a high as Ankita Raina and Vaishnavi Adkar claimed the women’s doubles title, delivering a composed and resilient performance throughout the week.
Playing on home soil, the second-seeded Indian pair lifted the trophy after navigating a competitive draw that featured several all-Indian encounters, underlining the growing depth in the country’s women’s game.
The ITF W35 Solapur Open was held from December 22 to 28 on hard courts, offering a prize pool of USD 30,000. The tournament saw strong Indian representation across both singles and doubles, with the Raina–Adkar partnership emerging as the standout in the doubles draw.
For Ankita Raina, 32, the title added another chapter to an already distinguished doubles career. A former Asian Games medallist and India’s most experienced women’s singles player of the last decade, Raina has now won over 20 ITF doubles titles. For Vaishnavi Adkar, just 20, the victory marked a significant milestone. Already enjoying a breakthrough season on the ITF circuit, the Solapur title is her biggest doubles success so far and a valuable step in her professional development.
Round of 16: Confident start against wildcards
Raina and Adkar began their campaign in the round of 16 against Indian wildcard pair Pooja Ingale and Madhurima Sawant. As expected from the second seeds, they controlled the early exchanges, using sharp serving and proactive net play to take the opening set 6–2.
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The second set proved more competitive. Ingale and Sawant raised their level, pushing the Indians into longer rallies and forcing a tiebreak. Raina’s experience and Adkar’s composure were decisive in the key moments, as the pair edged the breaker 7–6(4) to seal a 6–2, 7–6(4) win. The match, lasting around 80 minutes, gave them a solid start and rhythm heading into the later rounds.
Quarterfinals: Straight-sets win over Sedysheva and Van Poppel
In the quarterfinals, played on December 25, the Indian duo faced Anna Sedysheva (Russia) and Emma Van Poppel (Netherlands). Raina and Adkar produced their most clinical performance of the week, racing through the first set 6–1 in just 25 minutes by repeatedly breaking serve and controlling points from the baseline.
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The second set saw a brief resistance from the international pairing, but the Indians remained steady and closed it out 6–4. The straight-sets victory reflected their growing confidence and efficient teamwork, and it sent them into the semifinals without having dropped a set.
Semifinals: All-Indian comeback against Bhamidipaty and Chaudhari
The semifinals brought a high-quality all-Indian contest against Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty and Vaidehee Chaudhari, both of whom had enjoyed strong runs through the draw. Raina and Adkar struggled early, conceding the first set 2–6 after a run of unforced errors and aggressive returning from their opponents.
The response was measured rather than hurried. The second seeds tightened their baseline play in the second set, extended rallies, and took the match into a tiebreak, which they dominated 7–6(1). The deciding super tiebreak saw Raina and Adkar assert control early, eventually winning 10–3 to complete a 2–6, 7–6(1), [10–3] comeback. The result highlighted the pair’s mental strength, particularly in pressure situations.
Final: Strong finish against Desai and Nepliy
The final on December 27 saw Raina and Adkar take on Zeel Desai (India) and Elina Nepliy (Russia). The match followed a familiar pattern for the champions, who once again had to recover after losing the opening set 4–6. Desai and Nepliy served effectively and applied pressure at the net, forcing the Indians onto the back foot.
Raina and Adkar responded with improved returns and timely breaks in the second set, edging it 7–5 to force a super tiebreak. In the decider, the Indian pair stayed composed, pulling ahead in the latter stages to win 10–6 and secure the title with a 4–6, 7–5, [10–6] victory.
The Solapur doubles title brings valuable ranking points and prize money for both players and strengthens their prospects for higher-level events in 2026. For Raina, it reinforces her consistency and leadership on the ITF circuit. For Adkar, it serves as another indicator of her rapid rise and growing comfort at the professional level.
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More broadly, the tournament reflected the increasing competitiveness of Indian women’s tennis, with multiple domestic pairings pushing each other deep into the draw. Raina and Adkar’s triumph stands as a timely reminder of the depth, experience, and emerging talent currently shaping the Indian women’s game.
