Sahaja Yamalapalli Advances to Grudge Match Against Top Seed Leolia Jeanjean at NECC ITF Event
In a thrilling display of resilience, Sahaja Yamalapalli has set up a highly anticipated grudge match against top seed Leolia Jeanjean of France at the $60,000 NECC ITF women's tennis event held at Deccan Gymkhana in Pune. Meanwhile, Ankita Raina's spirited run in the tournament came to a heartbreaking halt on Tuesday, marking a day of mixed fortunes for Indian tennis stars.
Sahaja Overcomes Illness and Rust to Secure Victory
Sahaja Yamalapalli, battling illness since her participation in the Mumbai Open WTA 125K last week, shook off the rust to secure a hard-fought victory over Russian opponent Ekaterina Maklakova. The match ended with scores of 6-4, 7-6 (6), showcasing Sahaja's determination and skill under pressure. This win books her a second-round date with Jeanjean, who had previously ousted the Indian in the second round of the same event last year.
Reflecting on the upcoming match, Sahaja expressed excitement and readiness for the challenge. "I played her last year here. It was a tough match. I lost but it was a close match. I'm really looking forward, excited for the challenge. I just want to go out there and play my game and see (whether) I can tactically play better than last time," she said, highlighting her strategic focus against the 30-year-old French player from Montpellier, who was the runner-up in last year's event.
Leolia Jeanjean's Struggle with Conditions
World No. 115 Leolia Jeanjean, fresh from reaching the singles quarterfinals and doubles semifinals in Mumbai, faced difficulties adapting to the change in conditions in Pune. Her first-round match against another Russian, Erika Andreeva, stretched to two hours and 21 minutes, with Jeanjean eventually prevailing 2-6, 6-3, 7-5. This sets the stage for a compelling rematch with Sahaja, adding to the tournament's drama.
Sahaja's Coaching Partnership and Career Challenges
The 25-year-old Hyderabadi, Sahaja Yamalapalli, has faced challenges in maintaining a stable coaching setup throughout her career, despite notable achievements such as defeating former US Open champion Sloane Stephens at a WTA125 event in Mexico last October. Currently ranked World No. 425, she is optimistic about her new partnership with Dmitriy Kuchlikov, a coach based in Thailand who guided his daughter to titles at the 2015 Australian Open junior championships.
Kuchlikov, who was present in Mumbai during the WTA 125K Series and is now assisting Sahaja in Pune, has been actively observing players from various nationalities. Sahaja, who was sidelined due to a sore throat, emphasized the importance of this partnership. "I haven't really found someone who I thought, like, he's the one that can take me (further up in the game) until recently. So that's why I've been doing a lot of changes, I don't want to travel with anyone who does not really complement you. I want someone who can make me win tournaments, that's what I've been looking for," she explained.
Involvement in Sania Mirza's 'Next Set' Initiative
In an interesting development, Sahaja has joined Grand Slam champion Sania Mirza's 'Next Set' initiative, which aims to provide coaching support for young and upcoming players. While details of the program remain sketchy, it is understood that participants can choose from a pool of coaches, physios, and nutritionists. Sahaja clarified that while she will avail the services of a travelling physio from 'Next Set', she will continue her exclusive arrangement with Kuchlikov, highlighting her commitment to this new coaching partnership.
Reflections on Ranking and Future Goals
A challenging 2025 saw Sahaja's ranking drop from a career-high of 284 in October 2024, but she remains unfazed. "I'm happy at least I stayed in that level. Staying in that ranking and that level also is hard. We're always trying to get better, but sometimes you also should be grateful to where you are, because it's not easy," she said. Looking ahead, she added, "I think (what) I could do better this time is the stability in the (coaching) team. I'm really looking forward for that this year and see if that makes a difference."
Shrivalli Rashmikaa's Impressive Victory
In another first-round match, Shrivalli Rashmikaa, with respected coach M Balachandran in her corner, delivered a disciplined performance to swiftly defeat 18-year-old Russian southpaw Victoria Milovanova 6-3, 6-2. Her next challenge is against last week's Mumbai Open champion, Mananchaya Sawangkaew, the seventh seed from Thailand. Sawangkaew, who also struggled with conditions, overcame Japan's Mei Yamaguchi 1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2. This sets up a rematch, as Sawangkaew had previously beaten Shrivalli in three sets in Lexington in July 2024.
Ankita Raina's Heartbreaking Loss
Meanwhile, 33-year-old Ankita Raina, who had battled through two rounds of qualifying, experienced a devastating loss to Korea's Sohyun Park. After leading 5-1 in the decider, Ankita fell 3-6, 6-2, 5-7 in a marathon match lasting 2 hours and 32 minutes. Having won eight consecutive games from 2-2 in the second set, Ankita even held a match-point when Park served at 4-5, 30-40 in the final set. However, Park managed to hold serve and clinch the match, ending Ankita's run in a dramatic fashion.
This NECC ITF event in Pune continues to showcase the highs and lows of professional tennis, with Sahaja Yamalapalli's upcoming grudge match against Leolia Jeanjean promising to be a highlight for fans and players alike.
