Eight Qualifiers Secure Spots in Main Draw, Vilasier Khate Suffers Upset Loss
The Tata Steel AITA Men’s National Ranking Tennis Tournament (1 Lac Prize Money) 2024, currently underway at the JRD TATA Sports Complex, has witnessed impressive performances from the top seeds in the Men’s Singles Main Draw, while also seeing a notable upset.
JAMSHEDPUR – The ongoing Tata Steel AITA Men’s National Ranking Tennis Tournament (1 Lac Prize Money) 2024 at the JRD TATA Sports Complex has kicked off with a bang, as eight qualifiers have secured their spots in the Men’s Singles Main Draw.
Ritabrata Sarkar (WB), Abhinansu Borthaur (WB), Vansh Bisht (DL), K Mandeep Reddy (KA), Emon Bhatt (CG), Rishi Raj Kesari (UP), Piyush Priyadarshi, and Soham Sachin Kamble (MH) have emerged victorious in the qualifying rounds.
Notably, Ritabrata and Abhinansu, based on their current national rankings, will be seeded 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Main Draw, following top-seeded V M Ranjeet.
In the opening rounds of the Men’s Singles Main Draw, top-seeded V M Ranjeet of Tamil Nadu made a powerful statement, effortlessly whitewashing qualifier and 16-year-old Soham Sachin Kamble in a one-sided encounter, winning 6-0, 6-0.
Similarly, 3rd-seeded Abhinansu Borthakur of Bengal, who triumphed in the Beldih Club AITA Men’s 1 lac tournament in November 2023, dominated his match against Telangana’s Devarapalli Akhil Kumar Reddy, conceding only three games en route to a 6-1, 6-2 victory.
However, the day also witnessed a significant upset, as 6th-seeded Vilasier Khate of Nagaland made an early exit, succumbing to unseeded Sajal Kesarwani in straight sets, 1-6, 3-6.
The tournament was officially inaugurated by Ritu Raj Sinha, Managing Director of Tata Steel UISL, in a ceremony held in the morning.
As the tournament progresses, the matches are set to commence at 7:30 am on the following day, promising more thrilling action on the courts.
