Natasha, Karman lose in first round of ITF tournament

India's Natasha Palha and Karman Kaur Thandi lost in the first round of the 25,000 NECC-ITF women's tennis tournament at the Deccan Gymkhana here Monday.

While Natasha lost 0-6, 6-6 (3) against Belarus' Sviatlana Pirazhenka, Thandi lost 2-6, 4-6 to Japanese Ayaka Okuno.

Also, qualifiers had their say when two of them shocked higher-ranked players including fifth seed Manon Arcangioli of France.

Thai qualifier Kamonwan Buayam fired six aces against one by Kamila Kerimbayeva of Kazakhstan as she won 7-5, 6-3. The Thai player had five double faults to seven by the Kazakh and enjoyed six service breaks to completely dominate the proceedings.

Later in the afternoon, qualifier Magdalena Frech of Poland shocked French Manon 6-1, 6-2. The Polish girl fired eight aces to none from the French which made all the difference on the Deccan Gymkhana hard courts.