Sai-Rushmi set up title clash

New Delhi: A determined Sai Jayalakshmy rallied superbly to upset local favourite Ankita Bhambri in the semifinal of the ITF Women's Tennis tournament. The eight seed Jayalakshmy had to fight tooth and nail to overcome Ankita 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7/3) in two hours 45 minutes to set up a title clash with top seed Rushmi Chakravarthi. It was also a sweet revenge for the experience Tamil Nadu lass, who was suffering from a tennis elbow, as she had lost to the same opponent in the Lucknow leg couple of months ago. Missed opportunities In the another semifinal, Rushmi advanced to the final after her third seed opponent, Montinee Thangphong of Thailand, conceded the match owing to her knee injury. Rushmi had taken the first set 6-1 and was leading 1-0 in the second when the Thai girl threw the towel. Montinee, partnering Thassha Vitayaviroj in the doubles event, also conceded their final match. Earlier, a lethargic looking Jayalakshmy missed on some opportunities in the first set and could not hold her serve in the eighth game. She lost the set 3-6 after Ankita earned two break points in the ninth game, which she converted as well to win the set. Learning from mistakes Jayalakshmi, who had made a first round exit in the event last week at the same venue cameback from a set and 0-3 deficit to win the second set 6-4. Ankita, despite showing a superb form, committed a series of mistakes giving her opponent ample opportunities to score points. Ankita raced to a three game lead in the decider but Jayalakshmy came back strongly to take the set in the tie-breaker. A frustrated Ankita, threw her racquet with force and it hit the foot of the line umpire. She was penalised for racquet abuse. (PTI)