India has triumphed in the Asia-Oceania IC Rod Laver Junior Challenge, earning a place in the prestigious worldwide event to be held in Spain next year. The Indian team showcased exceptional talent, defeating Japan 4-2 in their second league match at the Winchester Arena on Thursday.
The victory was powered by stellar singles performances from Aradhya Kshitij, Sohini Mohanty, Samarth Sahita, and Rishitha Basireddy, who ensured India’s qualification. Japan managed to salvage pride with wins in the boys’ and girls’ doubles matches.
Captain Vikram Anand expressed his pride in the team’s grit, saying, “Samarth and Sohini really came back from the brink to clinch this incredible victory for us. The high humidity and heavy Slazenger balls made conditions challenging, but our players adapted brilliantly.”
India has a strong legacy in the competition, having won the worldwide challenge last year in the USA, with the team receiving the trophy from tennis legend Rod Laver himself. With players continuing to gain international exposure, Anand is confident they will be ready for the global stage in Spain, tentatively scheduled for June 2025.
Host Singapore was the third team in the group but was defeated by both India and Japan.
Results
- Aradhya Kshitij def. Junya Kawamura 6-1, 6-3
- Sohini Mohanty def. Kei Sawaki 7-5, 6-4
- Samarth Sahita def. Tomoki Fujiwara 7-6(3), 6-1
- Rishitha Basireddy def. Miyu Takiguchi 6-1, 6-3
India now looks forward to continuing its dominance on the international circuit!
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