Two Indians script a first at Mumbai Open

This year's L&T Mumbai Open is the fourth edition of the WTA 125 event.

- Shahid Judge

MUMBAI: The biggest tournament for women's tennis in India provides a platform for the country's players to earn some ranking points and prize money without needing to spend much on travel abroad.

It's a platform that comes with the hope of a player making a breakthrough and using the event as a springboard. On Thursday, in just over two hours of play, two Indians took advantage of the opportunity by securing their spots in the quarter-finals. This was the first time two players from the country have reached this far in singles at a competition of this magnitude.

Shrivalli Bhamidipaty picked up an impressive 6-4, 6-0 win over former world No. 39 Aleksandra Krunic in a match that lasted 58 minutes. An hour and eight minutes later, former world No. 31 Zarina Diyas retired due to illness against 15-year-old Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi. Maaya was leading 6-3, 3-2 at the time.

It has been steady progress for both the Indians in their own unique journeys.