Date:13/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/13/stories/2005041305541800.htm

Sport - Tennis

Rushmi gets past Isha Lakhani

By Nandakumar Marar

MUMBAI, APRIL 12. Rushmi Chakravarthi quelled Isha Lakhani's challenge 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in an interesting first- round match of the $ 25,000 ITF women's tennis.

Rushmi's timing served her cause against Isha's hustling tactics. The first set loss brought out the best in the sixth seed. Leading 5-1 in the second, and seeing the lead being cut down to 5-4, she served out the set on second attempt taking the set on an ace. The local challenger, running hard despite the humidity, lived up to the reputation of being a difficult opponent.

Wildcard Punam Reddy stretched experienced Sai Jayalakhmy Jayaram to three sets before making a first round exit, gritty Archana Venkataraman took the battle to Francesca Lubiani camp by wresting the second set after losing the first 2-6 but could not stop the Italian advance into round two where another hard-hitting Indian, Shruti Dhawan, lies in wait.

Megha Vakharia was the only wildcard among four to overcome the initial hurdle, defeated Australian Adriana Szili 6-3, 5-7, 7-5 for a second round clash with seeded Rushmi.

The results (Indians unless specified): 1st round: 1-Nina Bratchikova (Rus) bt Petra Cetkovska (Cze) 6-2, 6-1; Sai Jayalakshmy bt Punam Reddy 4-6, 6-3, 6-4; Francesca Lubiani (Ita) bt Archana Venkataraman 6-2, 4-6, 6-4; Shruti Dhawan bt Sonal Phadke 7-5, 6-1; 3-Napaporn Tongsalee (Thn) bt Nudnida Luangnam (Thn) 6-4, 6-1; Natsumi Hamamura (Jpn) bt Ivanna Israilova (Uzb) 7-5, 6-3; Megha Vakharia bt Adriana Szili (Aus) 6-3, 5-7, 7-5; 6-Rushmi Chakravarthi bt Isha Lakhani 1-6, 6-4, 6-3; 5-Lauren Breadmore (Aus) bt Geeta Manohar 6-3, 6-1; Thassha Vitayaviroj (Thn) bt Wilawan Choptang (Thn) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2; Andrea Hlavackova (Cze) bt Cassandra Barr (Aus) 6-2, 6-1; 4-Montinee Tangpong (Thn) bt Renata Kucerkova (Cze) 6-1, 6-3; 7-Julia Vorobeva (Rus) bt Tara Iyer 7-6 (4), 6-3; Kristina Czafikova (Svk) bt Yurika Sema (Jpn) 6-1, 6-3; Mihaela Buzarnescu (Rom) bt Sanaa Bhambri 6-1, 6-2; 2-Chin-Wei Chan (Tpe) bt Ankita Bhambri 6-2, 6-0.