Pune, Nov 13 (IANS) The Indian challenge in the $25,000 NECC-ITF women’s tennis championships came to an end with top seed Melanie South beating halting Shalini Sahoo’s fine run in the tournament to enter the semi-final here Thursday. The 116th ranked British had little difficulty in brushing aside Shalini, registering a 6-2, 6-2 win over her in about an hour.

Sahoo began well winning two games in a row, but South came up with solid shots outplaying the Indian to win six games in row and bag the first set. In the second set, South broke Sahoo in the first and the third game to seal the match.

“I tried to play my best, but was beaten by the speed and pace of South. It was the first time I was playing a high ranked player and it was truly a great experience for me. I’ve got a feel of what top class tennis is,” Sahoo admitted.

South said that Sahoo played well, but was overwhelmed with the occasion.

“I’m looking at taking a title here, which will be the third of the year,” said South who plays at the British National Training centre at Roehampton.

Shalini will get 8 WTA points and $686 for her effort.

Results (quarterfinals): Melanie South (Eng) bt. Shalini Sahoo (Ind) 6-2, 6-2; Ksenia Palkina (Kgz) bt. Kai-Chen Chang (Tpe) 6-3, 6-4; Bojana Jovanosvski (Srb) bt. I-Hsuan Hwang (Tpe) 6-2, 6-2; Jing Jing Lu (Chn) bt Ye Ra Lee (Kor) 5-2(retd)

Doubles (semi-finals): Elora Dabija (Rou)/Bojana Jovanovski (Srb) bt. Julia Parasyuk(Rus)/Korina Perkovic (Ger) 3-6, 6-1, 10-4; Kai-Chen Chang/I Hsuan Hwang (Tpe) bt. Jade Curtis / Emily Webley Smith (Eng) 6-4, 6-2