Ankita Raina was knocked out in the opening round of Chennai Open 2022 (PTI Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- India’s No. 1 Ankita Raina knocked out in 1st round of Chennai Open
- Ankita lost 0-6, 1-6 to Tatjna Maria of Germany
- Karman Thandi progressed to the 2nd round
A day after Karman Thandi created waves at Chennai Open 2022 in front of her home crowd, India No. 1 Ankita Raina was shown the door as early as the opening round in the WTA 250 tournament. Raina lost to Wimbledon semi-finalist Tatjana Maria in the opening round after she was bageled in the opening round.
It was a disappointing result for Ankita Raina as the 4th seed and veteran German player Maria blew the local hope away in an hour and 16 minutes. Raina lost 0-6, 1-6 to Maria, who had reached the semi-final of Wimbledon 2022 wherein she lost to eventual runner-up Ons Jabeur.
Maria needed just 31 minutes to wrap up the opening set as she made full use of Ankita’s weak serve. Ankita had less than 50 percent points won on first serve and she missed 2 break point opportunities to put any pressure on World No. 84.
Ankita, ranked 133 on the WTA charts, was in danger of getting bageled in the second set as well but she managed to hold on to her serve once in the match.
Maria will meet Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, top seed Alison-Riske Amritraj was knocked in the opening round after losing to Russia’s Anastasia Gasanova 2-6, 3-6.
Raina’s early exit comes a day after wildcard entrant Karman Thandi stunned 8th seed Chloe Paquet 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the first round. Karman will take on Eugene Bouchard of Canada in the second round.
