Qualifier Pranjala Yadlapalli played shocked seventh-seed French rival Lou Brouleau and enter the singles semifinals of the the USD 25,000 Endurance Aurangabad Open Women's ITF Tennis Championships here today.
In the quarter finals played today the junior world no 15 from Hyderabad, who is using the event to preparing for the Australian Open Juniors, scored an exciting 6-4 4-6 6-2 win in 2 hours and 30 minutes over her opponent who is ranked 775 places above her in the seniors to advance to her first ever semifinal in the women's event.
"My opponent was good and very consistent. I had to be focussed and more consistent than her. I decided to go for my shots and am very happy with the way I played," said the 16-year-old girl after her memorable win.
"I hope that I will continue to play the same way not only tomorrow but also in the Australian open," said Pranjala who is currently ranked 1119.
In the semi finals, she will take on second-seeded Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia who overcame a strong challenge from fifth-seeded Ankita Raina, the highest ranked Indian in the tournament.
Majeric saved three set points in the first set to overcome Raina 7-6(5) 4-6 6-2 in a match lasting nearly three hours.
Ankita held two set points at 5-4 in the first set before going down in the tiebreak. She won the second set 6-4 and led 2-0 in the third before losing her way.
