Easy win for Abhimanyu, Malikaa ousted from Rendez-Vous

Producing a dominating show, Abhimanyu Vannemreddy subdued China's Sheng Tang in straight sets to keep his French Open hopes alive but Malikaa Marathe was knocked out of the Rendez-Vous event after losing both her matches, here today.
Abhimanyu, who was a last-minute replacement of injured Siddanth Banthia, knocked out the Chinese 6-2 6-2 in his opening Group I match.
Banthia, winner of the Indian leg of Rendez-Vous, had pulled out of the event due to an injury. Since Abhimanyu had ended a runner-up to Banthia, he made the cut for the event.
The Bengaluru boy, who till recently trained with former Davis Cupper Vishal Uppal in Delhi, had landed in Paris only yesterday morning but got himself attuned to the conditions quickly.

After having just one practice session with coach Vivek Satyajit, sent by AITA to help the Indian players, Abhimanyu came out firing against the Chinese, who looked bothered by the heat.
Tang had lost his opening match 6-2 3-6 4-6 against Korea's Minjong Park could not match the Indian's stroke- making ability and quick reflexes.

Abhimanyu not only hit the ball hard but showed tremendous reflexes during his win. He now needs to win his next match against Park to top the Group I and qualify for the final.
The winner of Group I will compete against the winner of Group II and the winner will earn the wild card to compete at the junior French Open.

Meanwhile, Malikaa, who turned only 14 last month, competed against much older and experienced campaigners. She gave a good account of herself despite twin defeats.
Playing her first ever tournament outside India, Malikaa took some time to settle and gradually gained in confidence.
She lost the first match 1-6 0-6 to Japan's Anri Nagata and the second 6-7(5) 5-7 to Brazil's Nathalia Wolf Gasparin.
Malikaa had several chances to win her second match as she was up 5-2 in the opening set and 5-3 in the second but her unforced errors allowed the Brazilian to make a comeback.
"I had lot of chances but could not convert. I have learnt my lessons. I will come out stronger,"

Malikaa, accompanied by her family, said after her campaign was over.
Coach Satyajit said,"She needs to work on her physical aspect. She needs to be stronger and she was ill-prepared for the event. Ideally AITA should have conducted a one-week clinic before she came here. She hardly played matches on clay.
"It's hell of an opportunity to grab a place in the Grand Slam main draw and she could have done better if better prepared.