Birrell puts it across Shrivalli, Vekic eases past Sahaja

Janice Tjen of Indonesia, seeded 4, endured tough climate circumstances to outclass the defending champion Linda Fruhvirtova of Czech Republic 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in two hours and 19 minutes to succeed in the quarterfinals of the WTA 250 Chennai Open tennis match on the SDAT-Nungambakkam Stadium right here on Thursday.

The Indonesian’s triumph on the Centre courtroom in a match that started at 2 p.m. was definitely a lesson in endurance and the artwork of preventing again in opposition to odds.

In opposition to higher-ranked opponents, Indians and wild card entrants, Sahaja Yamalapalli and Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, misplaced in contrasting fashions within the spherical of 16.

Sahaja went down tamely 6-2, 6-2 to Croatia’s Donna Vekic, seeded third, whereas Shrivalli displayed aggression and spunk, however wasn’t constant sufficient as she misplaced to seventh seeded Kimberly Birrell of Australia 7-5, 7-6(2). With their defeat, Indian problem in singles got here to an early finish.

The Vekic-Sahaja match was one-sided. There have been few lengthy and prolonged rallies. Sahaja impressed along with her forehand down the road and crosscourt winners however these had been few and much between.

Shrivalli was fearless as she produced heart-tugging forehand winners. She broke the Aussie’s serve within the eighth and tenth video games to stage it 5-5. Nevertheless, when it mattered most, she couldn’t held her serve within the eleventh recreation whereas Kimberly held hers. Shrivalli matched the Australian shot for shto from the backcourt stretching the second set to tiebreaker, which she misplaced ultimately. Earlier, Fortunate loser Arina Rodionova of Australia made it to the final eight, with a 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (9) win over her country-mate Storm Hunter.

The outcomes (second spherical): Janice Tjen (Ina) bt Linda Fruhvirtova (Cze) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2; Donna Vekic (Croa) bt Sahaja Yamalapalli 6-2, 6-2; Arina Rodionova (Aus) bt Storm Hunter (Aus) 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(9); Polina Oatcenko bt Katarzyna Kawa (Pol) 6-2, 6-3; Kimberly Birrell (Aus) bt Shrivalli Bhamidipaty 7-5, 7-6(2).