Ranzi Sports

Bengaluru, Jan 20: Riya Bhatia stood out as the only Indian player to advance to the second qualifying round of the $100,000 KPB Trust Women’s Open held at the KSLTA courts on Monday.

The wildcard entry displayed her prowess with a dominant performance against Japan’s Eri Shimizu, the 11th seed, triumphing with a convincing scoreline of 6-1, 6-3 in just over an hour. Bhatia’s aggressive serving consistently challenged her opponent throughout the match.

Despite being ranked 698—well below Shimizu, who holds a position over 350 ranks higher—Bhatia commenced the match with intensity, quickly claiming the first set. After a fleeting lapse in concentration, she reestablished her focus and clinched the second set, thus securing her advancement.