Mumbai Open: Sahaja falls short, Marino cruises into round of 16
Second-seed Rebecca Marino of Canada cruised into the round of 16, while India’s Sahaja Yamalapalli fell short against Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee on day three of the Mumbai Open WTA 125 Series event at the Cricket Club of India on Monday.
Marino delivered a commanding performance by defeating the Czech Republic’s Sara Bejlek emphatically, 6-0, 6-2. With her powerful groundstrokes and dominant serve, Marino easily advanced, reaffirming her credentials as a title contender.
In another round-of-32 clash, Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew put on a clinical display to dispatch Slovenia’s Dalila Jakupovic 6-3, 6-1, with her aggressive play and tactical precision leaving Jakupovic struggling to keep pace.
Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic also impressed by using her experience to outplay Croatia’s Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2, with consistency and well-executed shot selection securing her victory.
However, India’s Sahaja Yamalapalli was unable to keep home hopes alive, bowing out to Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee. Despite a valiant fightback in the second set, Yamalapalli ultimately fell short, losing 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
The Mumbai Open WTA Tennis Championships is heading into its fourth year and will return to Mumbai after a six-year gap in 2024. Previously, the 2024 Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka won the 2017 edition of the Mumbai Open as a teenager, while Thailand’s Luksika Kumkhum won the title in 2018. Latvia’s Darja Semeņistaja claimed the crown in 2024.
Results:
- Rebecca Marino (Canada) beat Sara Bejlek (Czech Republic) 6-0, 6-2.
- Mananchaya Sawangkaew (Thailand) beat Dalila Jakupovic (Slovenia) 6-3, 6-1.
- Aleksandra Krunic (Serbia) beat Petra Marcinko (Croatia) 6-4, 6-2.
- Sahaja Yamalapalli (India) lost to Lanlana Tararudee (Thailand) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
