Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) Top seed Vishnu Vardhan proved too good for S.V. Abhishek, winning 6-2, 6-3 on his way to the men’s singles semifinals of Fenesta National Tennis Championship at the DLTA complex here Thursday.

Vishnu, fresh from his Davis Cup debut against Japan in Tokyo last month, dominated the match with his serve and searing grounstrokes to outpace his 19-year-old statemate from Andhra Pradesh.

The 24-year-old from Secunderabad ran away with the first set with breaks in the second and eighth games and needed just an early one in the second set to close the match in a little over an hour.

Vishnu next plays Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash, who dispatched Kaza Vinayak Sarma 6-3, 7-5.

Vishnu, who impressed with his performance against Japan’s top singles player Kei Nishikori in the crucial reverse singles in the World Group play-off, said playing in Davis Cup did a world of good to his confidence.

“Davis Cup definitely boosted my confidence, it is a different feeling wearing national colours and being a part of the team with players like Somdev (Devvarman), Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna,” Vishnu said.

“I have got a good start in this tournament and that certainly has helped me and my game.

“We need more domestic tournaments of this kind, offering good money, to attract country’s top players.”

Second seed Yuki Bhambri made short work of Ankit Sachdeva, winning 6-1, 6-3 to enter the semifinals.

In the clash between two players who train together at the Siri Fort Complex, Yuki never looked in any spot of bother.

“I realised that I am getting to play against only the Delhi players, it’s a nice coincidence. I am fit and want to make the most of it,” Yuki said.

There won’t be any Delhi players for Yuki in the semifinals, where he squares up against Andhra’s Saketh Myneni.

Myneni, who is back after playing on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), continued his domination over third-seeded N. Vijay Prashanth, defeating him 6-3, 6-1. Myneni had beaten Prashanth in the semifinals of JGI-AITA senior tournament in Bangalore last month.

In the women singles, Isha Lakhani’s dream run continued as she rallied to defeat Sheetal Goutham 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

“It has been an exciting run for me,” said a beaming Isha.

Isha, who is returning to competitive tennis after two years, now plays Soujanya Bavishetti, who eked out a tough 6-7(5), 7-5, 4-0 victory against Delhi girl Rishika Sunkara, who retired hurt owing to fatigue and cramping.

The 34-year-old Rushmi Chakravarthy, the most experienced player on the circuit, stamped her class on Shivika Burman, winning 6-0, 6-2.

Chakravarthy can expect a tough challenge from Pune’s 15-year-old Rutuja Bhosale, who defeated Prarthana Thombare 6-2, 6-3.