The ITF W50 Ahmedabad tournament witnessed some thrilling first-round upsets, with Vaishnavi Adkar and Anjali Rathi leading the charge for India with stunning victories over higher-ranked opponents.
In a tournament that has already showcased the rising depth in Indian women’s tennis, multiple Indian players have advanced to the second round, setting up exciting matchups ahead.
Adkar Upsets Yashina in a Three-Set Battle
India’s Vaishnavi Adkar (WTA #611) produced a massive upset in the opening round, defeating Russia’s Anastasia Yashina (WTA #443) in a hard-fought three-set encounter. Adkar displayed resilience and composure to secure a 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 victory, overcoming a second-set slump to seal one of the biggest wins of her career.
The Indian started strong, using her aggressive baseline game to take the first set 6-4. However, Yashina responded emphatically in the second set, breaking Adkar multiple times to level the match with a dominant 6-1 scoreline.
Despite the setback, Adkar regrouped in the decider, holding her nerve in crucial moments to clinch the final set 6-4. This victory marks a significant milestone in her career as she now prepares to face 5th seed Naho Sato Kaji (WTA #262) from Japan in the second round.
Qualifier Anjali Rathi Shocks WTA #624 Weronika Ewald
In another impressive result, Indian qualifier Anjali Rathi (WTA #1396) pulled off a straight-sets victory over Poland’s Weronika Ewald (WTA #624). Rathi dominated from the start, showcasing her all-court game and consistency to secure a 6-2, 6-4 win.
Rathi, who came through the qualifying rounds, played with great confidence, breaking Ewald multiple times in the first set to take control of the match. The second set saw a brief fightback from the Polish player, but Rathi stayed composed, closing out the match in straight sets.
Her reward for this stunning win is a second-round clash against WTA #426 Iana Iatcenko, where she will look to continue her impressive run.
Smriti Bhasin and Humera Baharmus Advance to Round 2
In an all-Indian first-round clash, qualifier Smriti Bhasin defeated wildcard Vidhi Jani in a commanding performance. Bhasin’s solid baseline play proved too strong for Jani, as she cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 victory. Her next challenge will be WTA #281 Amandine Hesse from France, a seasoned competitor on the ITF circuit.
Another Indian qualifier, Humera Baharmus, also secured a straight-sets victory over compatriot Priyanshi Bhandari, winning 6-2, 6-3. Baharmus will now face fellow Indian Shrivalli Bhamidipaty in the second round, ensuring that at least one Indian player progresses further in the tournament.
Indian Players Making a Mark
The first round of the ITF W50 Ahmedabad has been a memorable one for Indian players, with several of them overcoming higher-ranked opponents. Adkar’s and Rathi’s upsets are particularly significant, as they highlight the emerging strength of Indian women’s tennis on the international circuit.
With multiple Indian players advancing to Round 2, all eyes will now be on their upcoming matches as they aim to make deeper runs in the tournament. Can Adkar, Rathi, Bhasin, and Baharmus continue their momentum and pull off more surprises? The next rounds promise to be just as exciting!
