Zeel, Rashmikaa meet in all-Indian final; Cherubini-Schmidt win doubles title at ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour

Published at :November 26, 2023 at 3:13 PM

Modified at :January 14, 2024 at 1:17 AM

Zeel Desai beat Rutuja Bhosale to reach the final

Zeel Desai showcased her zeal by making an impressive comeback from the brink of defeat against Rutuja Bhosale, who was at match point, setting up an all-Indian final clash against the reigning National champion, Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty in the Bowring Institute ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour.

In contrasting semifinals played at the Bowring Institute courts on Saturday, Zeel secured a hard-fought 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory over third-seeded Rutuja, while Rashmikaa stunned the second-seeded Lanlana Tararudee of Thailand with a score of 6-2, 6-1.

The Italian-German pair of Diletta Cherubini and Antonia Schmidt rallied from a set down to claim the women’s doubles title, defeating the fourth-seeded duo of Punnin Kovapitukted from Thailand and Anna Ureke 4-6, 7-5, 10-4. The winners received a cheque of US$1437 and 50 WTA points, while the runners-up pocketed US$719 and 30 WTA points for their efforts.

Rutuja, battling a viral illness throughout the week, took to the courts against a confident Zeel. Both players broke each other in the first two games, repeating the sequence in the 5th and 6th games before the Asian Games champion, Rutuja, secured the first set at 6-3, winning three consecutive games.

The second set followed a similar pattern as Rutuja took a 3-1 lead after achieving a break in the fourth game. Both players exchanged breaks in the subsequent two games. However, Zeel intensified her game, taking advantage of Rutuja’s fatigue, winning four games in a row with breaks in the 7th and 9th games.

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At 2-5 and facing a match point, Zeel, aged 27, made a remarkable comeback, clinching a crucial game that shifted the momentum. Rutuja, striving to serve for the match at 5-3, experienced difficulties, committing four double faults and two unforced errors, losing her serve. Zeel capitalized on the opportunity, winning the remaining games to secure the set at 7-5 and claim the match.

In the other semifinal, Shrivalli Rashmikaa, armed with a powerful forehand and serve, dominated her Thai opponent. Rashmikaa broke her rival’s serve in the 2nd, 4th, and 8th games, conceding only one break in the 3rd game. Lanlana, who had displayed flawless tennis throughout the week, succumbed to Rashmikaa, managing to hold her serve only once in the fourth game of the second set, eventually falling to the lanky Indian.

Results

Women’s singles (Semifinals)

Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty beat 2-Lanlana Tararudee (THA) 6-2, 6-1.

Zeel Desai beat 3-Rutuja Bhosale 3-6, 6-4, 7-5

Doubles (Final)

Diletta Cherubini (ITA)/Antonia Schmidt (GER) beat 4-Punnin Kovapitukted (THA)/Anna Ureke 4-6, 7-5, 10-4

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