Nikki sets up final clash with Aryan

Nikki K. Poonacha set up a title clash with Aryan Goveas in the men’s singles final of the Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship. The women’s fight for the title will be between Sowjanya Bavisetti and Prerna Bhambri. Both matches will be played here on Saturday.

For Aryan, this was a big day as he made it to the his maiden national final. Aryan, the second seed from Mumbai played solid tennis and mixed up his shots to defeat Kunal Anand 6-2, 64. “Today was a good match. It was a straight set win for me and I played a much more solid game. I’ve been feeling myself really well over the last few days. And today it was much better, I was much sharper and physically much better out there. And I’m happy that I could finish it in straight sets and look forward to tomorrows’ final,” said Aryan.

Nikki beat Dalwinder Singh 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 in a close match. “It was a relief today that I won. It was a very tough match. These is the first three-setter I played. It was overall a great match and I learnt a lot. Tomorrow I’ll be playing against the same kind of player so I will be give my best,” said Nikki.

Seasoned pro Prerna Bhambri, who was won the title here four times, steamrolled Jagmeet Kaur 6-2, 6-1. Familiarity with conditions and past experience helped Prerna play with great feel on the hard court. “I’m absolutely thrilled to be playing the finals tomorrow for the fith time. And I’m looking forward to the match tomorrow,” said

Prerna.

In the other semi-final, Sowjanya Bavisetti beat Vaidehi Chaudhari 6-3, 7-5. Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash and Ishaque Eqbal lifted the men’s doubles title after they got a walk over from runners-up Nikki and Prajwal Dev while Sowjanya Bavisetti and Rishika Sunkara defeated Sai depeeya Yeddula and Sara Yadav 6-2, 6-3 in the women’s doubles final.