Punjab Newsline,Sports:
Indian tennis gets major boost as Parthsarthi Mundhe and Akanksha Nitture earn wild cards for qualifiers
India’s No. 2 women’s singles player Vaidehee Chaudhari has been granted a wild card entry into the main draw of the upcoming 2026 L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series, set to be held at the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) courts in Mumbai. The decision is being seen as a significant boost for Indian tennis, providing domestic players an opportunity to compete against high-ranking international opponents on home soil.
The qualifying rounds will be played on January 31 and February 1, 2026, followed by the main draw from February 2 to 8. Alongside Vaidehee, tournament organizers have also extended wild cards to promising young talent 15-year-old Parthsarthi Aru Mundhe and 22-year-old Akanksha Nitture for the qualifiers, underlining their intent to promote emerging Indian players.
Vaidehee Chaudhari earned the wild card after Sahaja Yamalapalli secured direct entry into the main draw. The 25-year-old Vaidehee is currently enjoying a strong run of form. She clinched the W35 Solapur title in December, defeating Japan’s Michika Ozeki in the final. She continued her impressive performances in the new year by reaching the final of the WTT 15 tournament in Ahmedabad in January, further boosting her confidence ahead of the Mumbai Open.
Vaidehee was also a key member of the Indian contingent at the Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group 1, where she delivered crucial singles victories for the team. Her consistent performances over the past few months have positioned her as one of India’s most reliable players on the women’s circuit.
Speaking after receiving the wild card, Vaidehee expressed gratitude to the MSLTA officials and said the presence of several high-ranked international players in this year’s L&T Mumbai Open would make the tournament both challenging and exciting. She added that her focus would be on staying composed, trusting her training, and giving her best in every match.
Meanwhile, Junior National Champion Parthsarthi Aru Mundhe, who hails from Maharashtra’s Dharashiv district, will make her debut at the Mumbai Open. In the qualifiers, she will face Poland’s Zuzanna Pawlikowska in the opening round. Akanksha Nitture, on the other hand, is set to take on experienced Indian campaigner Ankita Raina on the first day of the qualifiers. These encounters are expected to add excitement while showcasing the depth and future potential of Indian women’s tennis.