Top seed Deepthi Venkatesan stunned in second round of Fenesta Open Girls U-16 event
Top seed Deepthi Venkatesan suffered a shock defeat to Unnathi Muralidhar at the Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship in New Delhi.
Deepthi Venkatesan Stunned in Fenesta Open Girls U-16 Round
The 31st Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship witnessed a massive upset on Tuesday as top seed Deepthi Venkatesan was knocked out of the Girls U-16 singles event. In a stunning display of dominance, Unnathi Muralidhar dismantled the tournament favorite in straight sets at the DLTA Complex in New Delhi.
Muralidhar Pulls Off Major Upset
Unnathi Muralidhar, representing Karnataka, delivered a clinical performance to secure her spot in the third round. She required just 1 hour and 11 minutes to overwhelm Venkatesan with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory.
Reflecting on her unexpected triumph, Muralidhar noted the intensity of the match. "It was really a good match; it was actually tough for me to play against the top seed," she said. She also credited her coaching staff for the win, stating that having her coach present provided a significant advantage during her first appearance at the Fenesta Open.
Seeds Shake Up in Girls U-16 Category
While the top seed fell, other prominent players maintained their momentum. Second seed Tanusshri Sathesh and third seed Aaradhya Meena both cruised through their respective matches, conceding only three games combined. However, the tournament continues to be unpredictable, as fourth seed Aashi Kashyap and sixth seed Harsha Oruganti were both eliminated in grueling three-set battles.
Ribhav Saroha Eyes Double Victory
In the Boys U-16 category, last week's Boys U-18 singles champion Ribhav Saroha is looking to extend his success. Saroha remains on track for a double title after a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over Rhunmaan Mahesh, a match that lasted 1 hour and 22 minutes.
Saroha will face tougher competition in the third round, joining fellow seeds Lakshya Chukka and Paranjay Siwach. The tournament also saw an upset in this bracket, as fifth seed Divey Malk was ousted in three sets by Parthiv Nallagundla.
Aarav Challani Dominates Boys U-14
The Boys U-14 event saw top seed Aarav Challani assert his authority with a rapid 6-1, 6-1 victory over Rajishnu Poptani. Despite the lopsided score, Challani remained humble regarding his performance.
"My opponent put up a good fight. It was better than the score suggests," Challani remarked. Discussing the pressure of being a favorite, he added, "Pressure is a privilege. I have had my eyes on this title for a long time, but it's very early to say now."
Girls U-14 Seeds Hold Strong
In the Girls U-14 division, the top seeds appeared much more secure. Sarena Gahlot moved forward after a 6-2, 6-1 win against Janvi Sawant, while Siddhi Pandey and Zoha Qureshi also successfully navigated their second-round fixtures to advance.