Sandeepti sets up final date against Zeel Desai

Sports Bureau

JHAJJAR

Qualifier Sandeepti Singh Rao saved three match points to beat the champion of the last tournament, third seed Tamara Curovic of Serbia, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(5) in the semifinals of the $15,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament at the Joygaon Academy on Saturday.

In the final, the 19-year-old Sandeepti will play Zeel Desai, who posted her first win in five meetings over doubles partner Vaidehi Chaudhari, with a 7-5, 6-2 score.

It was a memorable birthday for Zeel as she stopped Vaidehi from serving out the first set at 5-4, and turned the tide in her favour decisively with an energetic game.

Later, Zeel and Vaidehi were outplayed 6-2, 6-1 in the doubles final by top seeds Diana Marcinkevica and Fanny Ostlund.

It was some consolation for Diana, the top seed in singles, who was knocked out by Sandeepti in the pre-quarterfinals.

What stood out in Sandeepti on this day was her ability to keep fighting despite the variation and power play of the tall and strong Curovic.