Qualifier Akanksha ousts second seed Cirez

Akanksha Nitture knocks out the second seed Carlota Cirez

Qualifier Akanksha Nitture knocked out the second seed Carlota Cirez of Spain 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in the second round of the $40,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament at the Ahmedabad Tennis Foundation courts on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old Akanksha served well and converted her third match point in a long drawn 12th game of the decider on the Spaniard’s serve to clinch her place in the third round.

It was a welcome return to good form for Akanksha who had failed to win a match in the first three international tournaments of the season so far. In fact, she had managed to win ten games in all.

Before meeting the second seed, Akanksha had not dropped a set in three matches in the current tournament. She will play compatriot Vaidehi Chaudhari in the pre-quarterfinals.

Ankita Raina beat Funa Kozaki of Japan for the loss of seven games to set up a third round against Sohyun Park of Korea.

Shrivalli Bhamidipaty had to fight her way past Humera Baharmus in three sets to set up her third round match against fifth seed Haruka Kaji of Japan.

The country’s best ranked player, Sahaja Yamalapalli, lost her way after winning the first set against Francesca Pace of Italy.