2019 Lagos Open women’s singles champion Riya Bhatia believes her win is proof that Indian tennis is in good health.
The second seed who beat countrywoman Rutuja Bhosale in the semifinals claimed the Lagos Open second leg women’s singles title with a 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 victory over Slovenian Nastja Kolar at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club in Onikan on Monday.
Bhatia’s win also means an Indian has now won at least one leg of the women’s singles title for a second straight year after compatriot Pranjala Yadlapalli won both legs of the 2018 women’s singles event.
“Tennis in India is improving,” Bhatia who is ranked 516 in the WTA rankings said after her maiden ITF World Tour title triumph on Monday.
“I played a semifinals match here, and it was against an Indian girl also (Rutuja Bhosale), she was higher ranked than me. Last year also both the winner titles were by an Indian girl.”
Bhatia also paid tribute to beaten finalist Kolar describing the Slovenian as a fighter with a diverse array of weapons in her game.
“She has a really good game, I mean it’s different from other girls’ play. She has so many varieties in her game and she’s a really nice friend of mine of course also. And on the court she’s a really good fighter, so I knew it was gonna be a tough match, and I happy that I did win.”
