Top seed Tatjana Maria is one of the favourites to land the spoils in the KPB Trust ITF Open that kicks off at the KSLTA courts on Tuesday.
Credit: DH Photo
Bengauru: Although there's still some nip in the Bengaluru air, the heat at the courts of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) however will be turned up when the main draw of the KPB Trust ITF Open begins here from Tuesday.
Among the names eager to make noise will be two players in their 30s - Tatjana Maria and Rebecca Marino - who are all geared up to lead the charge as the top two seeds respectively.
Both Germany’s Maria (37) and Canada’s Marino (34) face qualifiers as opponents in their respective opening round matches and have younger players in the draw, thereafter, to navigate if they wish to make it all the way.
If last year’s winner Darja Semenistaja of Latvia, seeded third, will hope to retain her title, the Fruhvirtova’s - siblings Linda and Brenda - are seen as threats. Both the sisters have the knowledge of playing in the Garden City with Brenda (17), two years younger than Linda, winning the title in 2023.
The trophy will be much sought-after as the rewards on offer at the fourth edition of the tournament, this year, are a notch higher compared to the previous editions. While the tournament is upgraded from W50 to a W100 event, the total prize money sees a raise from $40,000 to $100,000. The eventual champion will take home $15,239 and 100 WTA ranking points.
With no Indian making it as a direct entrant, the country’s top women’s singles player Ankita Raina along with Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty and Vaidehi Chaudhari have received main draw wildcards.
Ankita, the 2023 runner-up at the event and world no. 286, is coming off a doubles win in New Delhi last week partnering USA’s Naiktha Bains. The duo are pairing up this week too and will be up against third seeds Dalila Jakupovic of Slovenia and Laura Pigossi of Brazil.
However, the tougher task for the 32-year-old Ankita will be in the singles draw where she begins against a qualifier. A win in the first round will see her potentially face the top-seeded Maria in the second.