Semenistaja wins the WTA Mumbai Open after defeating Hunter

With two hours and thirty minutes to go in the fight, the 21-year-old Semenistaja was at the peak of her fighting abilities. After winning a $40,000 title in Bengaluru last month, it was Semenistaja’s 16th singles title and her second in India.
At the L&T Mumbai Open WTA tennis tournament at the Cricket Club of India on Sunday, Darja Semenistaja defeated Storm Hunter in the final with a thrilling 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-2 comeback triumph after saving a match point.

The 21-year-old Semenistaja was undeterred by the two hours and thirty minutes of competition, giving her her greatest fighting performance. After winning a $40,000 title in Bengaluru last month, it was Semenistaja’s 16th singles title and her second in India. World No. 3 doubles player Hunter demonstrated her tenacity for the majority of the match, getting back up each time she fell.

She was unable to take advantage of her 6-5 lead in the second set tie-break, though. Semenistaja just a tiny dip on the following two points, as she crushed a winning forehand down the line to force a decider.

Semenistaja easily won the third, guaranteeing that there would be no more Storm in the contest.

Despite having come back from a 3-5 deficit in the opening set and saved four set points to win the first set, the 29-year-old Storm was unable to muster any more strength to battle. To their credit, the two players had practically danced the entire way on the court, making the match unforgettable for the large crowd.
In addition to $15,000, the winner received 125 WTA points. 81 points and $8,000 were awarded to the runner-up.

In the doubles championship match, Dalila Jakupovic and Sabrina Santamaria defeated Arianne Hartono and Prarthana Thombare 6-4, 6-3, after stepping up their game in both sets. For 32-year-old Dalila, who had lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the singles final at the same location in 2017, it was her moment of redemption. Prarthana was thrilled to have competed in her first WTA final, having previously won 26 ITF doubles championships. She and the free-stroking Arianne engaged in a cunning game that maintained the home interest.

The winners of the doubles match took home $5,0000 and 125 WTA points. The runner-ups received 81 points and $2,500.