Former national champion Prerna Bhambri made a comeback from a set down to register a hard fought win over Prarthana Thambore in the first round of the women’s singles at the Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship here on Tuesday.
The second seed Prerna was made to work hard by Prarthana before the former champion won 6-7, 7-6, 6-0 to advance to the next round. Prerna will take on Tarranum Handa in the second round.
Top seed Rishika Sunkara lived up to her top billing with a comfortable 6-3, 6-0 win over Likitha Shetty to set up a second-round clash with Maharashtra girl Devanshi Bhimjiyani.
Devanshi overcame a stiff challenge from Nithyaraj Baburaj.
In the men’s singles, third seed Siddharth Rawat edged out Kunal Anand 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 while the fourth seed P.C.Vignesh knocked out Yannick Nelord 6-3, 6-4.
Ronak Manuja also joined them in the second round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Brahmjot Singh. TN lad Ajai Selvaraj too made it to the next stage with a 75, 7-5 win over Jatin Dahiya, while Ramkumar Ramanathan defeated Nitten Kirrtane 6-3, 6-2.
Maharashtra’s Arjun Kadhe outclassed Antony T. Elwin 6-1, 6-4 win.
Meanwhile, third seed Karan Salwan fought back from a set down to beat Minki Talom 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 to advance into the third round of the boys’ U-18 event.