New Delhi: Rank outsider Bava Haadin pulled off the shock of the day, dumping seasoned campaigner Nitten Kirrtane 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 in the first round of the men’s singles at the Fenesta Open national tennis championship at the DLTA complex here on Monday.
Left-handed Kirrtane, who has been on the tennis circuit for over 25 years, tried all his tricks in the bag before his opponent from Kerala showed fine temperament for a win.
Haadin showed he has come of age and was thrilled after the big win. In the women’s section, results went on expected lines with top seeds sailing into Round Two with ease.
Fourth seed Pranjala Yadlapalli beat Aastha Dargude in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 while Sai Samhitha, seeded fourth, defeated Prakriti Bhawani with an identical scoreline.
On a day when major seeds had a bye in the girls under-18 category, in the boys under-18, top seed B.R. Nikshep got a walk over in the first round after his opponent Drona Wallia retired hurt.
