Mumbai Open: Hontama, Sanwangkaew cruise on action-packed opening day

The Mumbai Open 125K Series saw an action-packed opening day with Mai Hontama, Mananchaya Sanwangkaew, Leolia Jeanjean, and Misaki Matsuda securing straight-set victories. India's Ankita Raina and Vaidehee Chaudhari were knocked out.

The opening day of the main draw served up a series of well-contested matches at the Mumbai Open 125K Series, held at the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) on Monday. Mananchaya Sanwangkaew, Leolia Jeanjean, Mai Hontama, Misaki Matsuda, Miho Kuramochi and Mei Yamaguchi, all progressed to the next round with notable wins.

Hontama's Dominant Victory

The day's action began with the Japanese right-hander Mai Hontama's dominant victory over 21-year-old Alevtina Ibragimova in straight sets. Despite a spirited comeback by Ibragimova in the second set, Hontama kept her nerve to win the match 6-1, 6-4, as per a press release from MSLTA.

Sanwangkaew Cruises into Round of 16

Mananchaya Sanwangkaew, the runner-up from the previous season, cruised past her Slovakian opponent, Viktoria Morvayova to progress to the Round of 16. Mananchaya delivered a commanding performance as she won in straight sets, winning 6-2, 6-1. The Thai player is one of Asia's leading tennis stars and faced off against Emma Raducanu in the latest edition of the Australian Open.

Matsuda Beats Indian Veteran Raina

After Lulu Sun withdrew from the tournament due to illness, Indian veteran Ankita Raina qualified for the Main Draw to face off against the Misaki Matsuda. However, the 27-year-old Japanese beat Raina in straight sets to secure a 6-4, 6-0 win.

Yamaguchi's Hard-Fought Comeback

26-year-old Mei Yamaguchi emerged victorious after a hard-fought battle against Polina Iatcenko that lasted for 2 hours and 14 minutes. The Japanese star came back into the game after losing the first set, and went on to win the match 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

French Star Jeanjean Outclasses Chaudhari

Vaidehee Chaudhari, India's number two-ranked women's singles player, faced the third-seeded Leolia Jeanjean on centre court. The French star - who came into the spotlight after defeating former world number one Karolina Pliskova at the French Open in 2022 - delivered a supreme performance against Vaidehee, prevailing 6-2, 6-0 in the contest that lasted a little over an hour.

Kuramochi Wraps Up Day's Action

In the final game of the day, Japan's Miho Kuramochi overcame Argentina's Nicole Fossa Huergo in straight sets, winning 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and 31 minutes.

Results: Mai Hontama (JAP) bt Alevtina Ibragimova: 6-1, 6-4 Mananchaya Sanwangkaew (THA) bt Viktoria Morvayova (SVK): 6-2, 6-1 Misaki Matsuda (JAP) bt Ankita Raina (IND): 6-4, 6-0 Mei Yamaguchi (JAP) bt Polina Iatcenko: 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 Leolia Jeanjean (FRA) bt Vaidehee Chaudhari (IND): 6-2, 6-0 Miho Kuramochi (JAP) bt Nicole Fossa Huergo (ARG): 6-4, 6-3. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)