INDIA’S 22-year-old Zeel Desai and Russian Anna Ureke will be seen in action once again as they are seeded as top two players for the Women’s $15,000 Tennis Tournament which will be held in Nagpur at Nagpur District Hardcout Tennis Association’s court in Ram Nagar from February 28. While Zeel got the top billing, Anna was seeded second in the competition. Zeel would look to taking revenge from Anna, who had defeated the Indian at the Jhajjar early this week. Zeel is also participating at the Haryana Women’s ITF $15K and has won her opening round match against compatriot Vanshika Choudhary at the time of going to press. Anna retired midway during her first round match. A total of 12 women tennis players from across the world will be seen in the action on four clay courts in the city. There are 20 players for main draw and 32 for qualifying rounds.

 

From the qualifying round, eight will make it to the main draw of 32. India’s Zeel has a WTA ranking of 592. Apart from her, there are eight other Indian players including Vaidehi Chaudhari, Jennifer Luikham, Sathwika Sama, Mihika Yadav, Shivalli Bhamidipaty, Humera Baharmus, Farhat Qamar and Saha Sadiq will also start their campaign in main draw. The tournament will be hosted by MSLTA and NDHTA. The organisers are satisfied with the number of participation from foreign players. As many as seven foreign players in the main draw and five in the qualifying rounds have registered their entries till the final list updated on Tuesday night. NDHTA has the privilege to field one wild card entry in the main draw. “We have received request from only one player.

 

Tournament Supervisor will decide on her participation,” said Vijay Naidu, Treasurer, NDHTA, without disclosing the name of the player. Sri Lankan Elawala Dharaka is the Tournament Supervisor. Nagpur’s Supriya Chaterjee will be one of the four chair umpires. Tribal students who are AITA Level 1 officiating umpires are going to be on court as line umpires.