1st test
2. Guesthouses
257/6 (74.0 ov)
Only Sania Mirza and Nirupama Vaidyanathan have previously participated in the Grand Slam main moves for India.
India’s India’s Ankita Raina in action in the Yarra Valley Classic. AFP
Melbourne: Ankita Raina became the third Indian tennis player on Sunday to secure a spot in the main draw of a Grand Slam when she made the cut for the women’s doubles at the Australian Open.
After winning the Missed the women’s main draw, she still had a chance to qualify as a “lucky loser” by the end of the first round, but the 28-year-old realized a long-standing dream when she signed up with Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnecu and earned a direct entry .
Only Sania Mirza and Nirupama Vaidyanathan have previously taken part in the main Grand Slam moves for India.
Ankita is only the second Indian to win the women’s doubles after Sania, a six-time Grand Slam champion of a tennis major. Nirupama was the first to crack a Grand Slam main draw at the 1998 Australian Open.
The brave heart that played a key role in the tremendous progress of the Indian Fed Cup team said although individual players have a different meaning , be it special to do the doubles too.
« It’s the first main draw of a Grand Slam so I’ll take it as a singles or doubles. It’s special. Years of hard work, effort and now I am me there. Not only my hard work, but also the blessings and support of countless people have brought me here, I can’t forget that, « said Ankita PTI shortly after confirming her entry.
» I know that it is double, but India’s name will be there. These are the moments that trigger something among people. Perhaps some will dream that it is possible, « she added.
» People are starting to believe. We touch a lot of small milestones, but di it is at a peak. Anyone who starts playing professional tennis dreams of playing in a grand slam. «
» Regardless of the fact that these are doubles, I’ll take it. I held on to it. I stayed with it. Maybe next time I’ll play singles too. After years of hard work it starts with doubles, but singles will. « Happen. It’s so special first, » she added.
« I can’t believe it, I missed my name on the sheet. After During training, I asked about the draw and looked desperately for my name. I couldn’t find it. Then my coach called me to say I made it. » She said.
Ankita signed up with Romanian southern paw Mihaela, who was in the top 50 single players, on Friday before she injured her back.
They will be her campaign against the Australian wildcard pair Olivia Gadecki and Belinda Woolcock open up.
« A friend told me that Mihaela was looking for a partner. I spoke to her and she agreed. I’ve never played with her, but I have a left on my back Played tour. That’s a good combination. I’m looking forward to it. «
Sumit Nagal will compete in the men’s singles, while Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan will present their challenge in the men’s doubles with their respective partners.
Bopanna and his Japanese partner Ben McLachlan will compete against the Korean wildcard participants Ji Sung Nam and Min-Kyu Song.
Sharan and his Slovak partner Igor Zelenay will compete against the German combo of Yannick Hanfmann and Kevin Krawietz n.
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The 39-year-old, who will start her final attempt for a record 24th Grand Slam title next week, had extra time to recover when the Open was postponed for three weeks due to coronavirus complications.
Daniil Medvedev was in great shape and led Russia to the ATP Cup with a 6: 4: 6: 2 defeat against Italian world champion Matteo Berrettini.
Despite her heady rise, Osaka said it felt a bit overwhelming becoming number one in the world and brought additional pressure.
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Ref: https://www.firstpost.com