Shweta Rana, Riya Bhatia advance in Aurangabad tennis

Shweta Rana

Aurangabad, Feb 21 (IANS)

Indian tennis players Riya Bhatia, Nidhi Chilumula and Shweta Rana scored contrasting wins in the first round of qualifying at the $25,000 Aurangabad Open Women's ITF Championship here Saturday.

Riya scored a 7-6(0), 7-6(4) win over Ola Abou Zekry of Egypt. In a close match, Belgian Britt Geukens prevailed over Pranjala Yadalapalli 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(5) in two hours and 45 minutes.

In another close encounter, Nidhi edged out Arantxa Andrady 6-0, 6-7(7), 6-1 while Shweta registered a 6-3, 6-4 win over wildcard Asthaa Dhargude.