Karman Kaur lost her final qualifying round, but capitalised on her lucky-loser entry to beat 392nd-ranked Caitlin Whoriskey of the US 6-1, 6-3 in the first round of the $50,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament in Toronto.
The 17-year-old Karman had lost in three sets to Isabele Boulais of Canada in the third and final qualifying round.
By making the pre-quarterfinals, Karman, who is being coached by Bobby Mahal in Canada in recent months, has already ensured 11 WTA points, including three for making the final qualifying round. She could not capitalise on a similar lucky-loser entry last week in another $50,000 event in Quebec, as she had run into the world No. 7 junior, Fanni Stollar of Hungary.
Sasi Kumar steps it upMeanwhile, in the $10,000 ITF men’s Futures tournament in Egypt, sixth seed Sasi Kumar Mukund stepped up his game in the end for a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Simeon Rossier of Switzerland.
THE RESULTS:
$50,000 ITF women, Toronto, Canada: Singles (first round): Karman Kaur Thandi bt Caitlin Whoriskey (US) 6-1, 6-3. Qualifying event (third and final round): Isabele Boulais (Can) bt Karman Kaur Thandi 5-7, 6-2, 6-3.
$10,000 ITF men, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt: Singles (first round): Sasi Kumar Mukund bt Simeon Rossier (Sui) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
