Andhra Pradesh’s Akshara Iska wins All India Women's Open Tennis Tournament title

After Sanya Mirza and Saina Nehwal, Andhra Pradesh has produced yet another racquet champion: Akashra Iska. After beating Vasavi Ganesan of Tamil Nadu, Iska won the All India Women's Open Tennis Tournament at the Khar Gymkhana in Mumbai, winning prize money of INR 3.60 Lakh.

This was Iska’s fourth title this season, who wrapped up the game in just 90minutes. She told Business Standard, "I couldn't take Vasavi for granted especially after she beat two seeds to enter the final, I had to make sure of minimizing errors. Khar Gymkhana has been a happy hunting ground after winning the under-12, under-14 and under-16 titles over the years."

Fourth seed Akshara fashioned an impressive 6-2, 6-2 win against Vasavi, with defending champions and third seeds Sagarika Phadke and Nupur Kaul from Maharashtra retaining the doubles title, following a 6-4, 6-1 win over the TN-Maharashtra pair of Vasavi Ganesan and Aastha Dargude.

Previously Iska had won titles this season at Trivandrum, Patna and the under-16 nationals in Mumbai. According to Free Press Journal, she used the double-handed backhand in good measure and a fierce forehand, dominating the championship round from the start, earning three breaks each in both sets.

The Sports Mirror>