India’s Vaishnavi Adkar delivered one of the most significant performances of her career, defeating compatriot Ankita Raina 7-6(3), 6-4 to win the ITF W35 Kalaburagi singles title on Sunday.
In a closely contested all-Indian final played on International Women’s Day, Adkar displayed composure and resilience to secure the championship and continue her rise on the professional circuit. The victory earned Adkar 35 WTA ranking points and USD 4,860 in prize money, while runner-up Raina received 23 ranking points and USD 2,637. More importantly, the win marked a major milestone for the young Indian player as she overcame one of the country’s most experienced professionals in a hard-fought final.
A breakthrough moment
For Adkar, defeating a seasoned competitor like Ankita Raina made the victory even more special. Raina has long been a pillar of Indian women’s tennis, with years of experience on the international circuit and multiple ITF and WTA appearances.
Speaking after the match, Adkar acknowledged the challenge of facing someone she had admired growing up.
“It was a very good week for me. Conditions were very tough and I just feel proud that I was able to push till the last match in these conditions,” Adkar said. “Since I was a kid, I have seen Ankita play at a high level. So competing with her and playing doubles with her is a very big thing. I knew that she doesn’t leave the match till the last point, so I had to keep fighting for every point.”
Her words reflected the intense nature of the final, where both players repeatedly tested each other’s consistency and mental strength.
Watch Indian Live Scores and Play Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
The third-seeded Adkar began the match aggressively, immediately putting pressure on Raina’s serve. She created two break points in the opening game and forced an error from Raina to secure an early break. With confident baseline play and solid serving, Adkar quickly consolidated the advantage to move 2-0 ahead.
However, Raina soon found her rhythm. Using clever angles and deep groundstrokes, the eighth seed worked her way back into the contest. She broke Adkar’s serve to level the score at 2-2, setting the stage for a tightly contested first set.
Momentum continued to swing as both players pushed each other across the baseline in long rallies. Adkar regained the lead by stepping inside the court and attacking returns to break again for 3-2, but Raina responded immediately with aggressive forehands to restore parity at 3-3.
A tense opening set
As the set progressed, both players held serve in a series of tight games. Adkar mixed in well-timed drop shots to disrupt Raina’s rhythm, while the latter relied on her experience to extend rallies and force errors. Adkar managed another crucial break to move 5-4 ahead, putting herself in position to serve for the set. But Raina once again demonstrated her fighting spirit, producing powerful forehands to break back and push the set into a tie-break.
In the tie-break, Adkar elevated her level. Consecutive errors from Raina gave her a 3-0 lead, and she quickly extended the advantage to 5-1 with confident shot-making. Although Raina narrowed the gap to 6-3, Adkar closed out the set 7-6(3) with a strong serve, taking a crucial step toward the title.
Momentum swings in the second set
The second set followed a similar pattern, with momentum shifting between the two players. Raina started strongly, breaking Adkar in the opening game to take the early initiative. However, Adkar responded immediately with a break of her own, keeping the contest evenly poised.
Raina again moved ahead after forcing a series of errors from Adkar, but the lead proved short-lived. Adkar regained control by stepping up her return game and breaking back once more. The turning point of the set came in the sixth game, when Adkar’s backhand returns proved decisive. She broke Raina’s serve to move 4-2 ahead, putting herself within striking distance of the title.
Raina refused to give up and broke back with aggressive returning, reducing the deficit. Yet Adkar remained composed during the crucial closing stages. She held serve to take a 5-4 lead, then capitalised on a couple of unforced errors from Raina in the next game to earn three break points. Adkar converted the opportunity, sealing the set 6-4 and claiming the championship.
Watch Indian Live Scores and Play Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
Adkar’s triumph in Kalaburagi represents a major step forward in her professional career. Winning an ITF W35 event not only provides valuable ranking points but also boosts confidence heading into higher-level tournaments. The final also highlighted the depth of Indian women’s tennis, with two Indian players contesting the title. While Raina’s experience and fighting spirit kept the match competitive, Adkar’s determination ultimately proved decisive.
For the young champion, lifting the trophy on International Women’s Day added an extra layer of significance to the achievement.
Her victory serves as another encouraging sign for Indian tennis, as a new generation of players continues to emerge and challenge established names on the international circuit.
