Teen Sensation Tagger Stuns Champ Semenistaja in Mumbai Open Thriller

Teenager Lilli Tagger produced a stunning comeback victory, defeating defending champion and second seed Darja Semenistaja in three sets to reach the semifinals. Mananchaya Sawangkaew, Lanlana Tararudee, and Fangran Tian also secured their spots in the final four with impressive wins. In doubles, the pair of Nicole Fossa Huergo and Mananchaya Sawangkaew fought hard to book their place in the final. The day featured multiple three-set battles, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament.

Key Points: Mumbai Open: Tagger Upsets Semenistaja, Reaches Semis

  • Tagger's comeback win over 2nd seed
  • Sawangkaew & Tararudee advance
  • Tian wins marathon match
  • Doubles final spot booked
3 min read

Mumbai Open 125K: Teenage sensation Tagger knocks out former champion Semenistaja to advance to the semis

17-year-old Lilli Tagger stages a comeback to defeat defending champion Darja Semenistaja and advance to the Mumbai Open WTA 125K semifinals.

"The 17-year-old showcased why she's regarded as one of the most exciting prospects on the circuit - Report"

Mumbai, Feb 6

17-year-old Lilli Tagger scripted an incredible comeback victory against 2024 Mumbai Open champion and current second seed Darja Semenistaja in the quarterfinal of the Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series at the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association on Friday.

Meanwhile, Mananchaya Sawangkaew, Lanlana Tararudee and Fangran Tian also advanced to the semi finals of the Singles draw. In the Doubles, Nicole Fossa Huergo and Mananchaya Sawangkaew booked their spot in the final.

The day's action got underway with last edition's finalist, Mananchaya Sawangkaew facing ninth seed Tatiana Prozorova on centre court.

The former, who was also last season's runner up, won the first set comfortably, as the 22-year-old Prozorova struggled to find her rhythm and committed multiple unforced errors.

Despite showing some resolve and taking the lead in the second set, Prozorova struggled to convert crucial games and eventually fell short in straight sets, losing 6-1, 6-4.

Meanwhile, the highly anticipated match-up between third seed Leolia Jeanjean and fifth seed Lanlana Tararudee was played on Court 1.

The World No. 129, Tararudee, fought back after losing a closely contested first set and ended up winning the next two sets comfortably in a match that lasted for 2 hours and 17 minutes. The Thailand player scripted a memorable comeback win, prevailing 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

In another engaging clash, Lilli Tagger faced her toughest test yet as she went up against 2024 edition champion, Darja Semenistaja on centre court. Tagger made an adjustment mid-game to wrestle back control after losing the first set.

The 17-year-old showcased why she's regarded as one of the most exciting prospects on the circuit, playing more slice shots and negating Semenistaja's movement throughout. The Austrian ended up winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the semi final.

In another high-octane encounter on court 1, China's Fangran Tian continued her dream run in the tournament as she edged past Japan's Mei Yamaguchi in a 2 hour 38-minute marathon battle under the lights, winning 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.

In the first semi final of the Doubles Main Draw, Nicole Fossa Huergo and Mananchaya Sawangkaew clinched a hard-fought win against the pair of Hiroko Kuwata and Park So-hyun, wrapping up the day's action with a 6-4, 6-7 (7-4), (10-5) win to book their place in the final.

Results

Singles: Mananchaya Sawangkaew (THA) bt Tatiana Prozorova: 6-1, 6-4.

Lanlana Tararudee (THA) bt Leolia Jeanjean (FRA) : 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

Lili Tagger (AUT) bt Darja Semenistaja (LAT) : 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Fangran Tian (CHN) bt Mei Yamaguchi (JPN) : 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.

Doubles: Nicole Fossa Huergo (ARG)/Mananchaya Sawangkaew (THA) bt Hiroko Kuwata (JPN)/ Park So-hyun (KOR): 6-4, 6-7 (7-4), (10-5).

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So happy for the Thai players, Sawangkaew and Tararudee! They are playing brilliantly. It's wonderful to see Asian players dominating the semi-finals here in Mumbai. Hope the finals are just as thrilling!
M
Michael C
As a tennis fan visiting from the US, I have to say the level of play at this 125K event is impressive. Tagger's adjustment mid-match to use more slice was a masterclass in tactical thinking for someone so young. Kudos to the organizers.
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Siddharth J
Enjoying the tournament, but a small suggestion for the coverage. Would love to see more focus on the Indian players in the qualifiers or doubles draws. It feels a bit odd that the headline event in Mumbai has no Indian singles player in the later stages. Just my two paise.
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Nisha Z
Fangran Tian's match was a proper marathon! 2 hours 38 minutes under the lights must have been exhausting. Her mental strength to win the final set 6-2 after losing the second is commendable. Jai ho!
R
Rohit P
The atmosphere at MSLTA must be electric! Wish I could have been there. These matches are giving us so much to talk about in our office cricket group 😄. All the best to all semi-finalists!

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