Former National champion Sowjanya Bavisetti got off to a strong start and past Ayumi Morita of Japan to reach the pre-quarterfinals of the $25,000 ITF women’s tennis at the Tennis Project in Baliawas on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old Sowjanya led 6-1, 2-1 when the former world No. 40, Ayumi retired. The 32-year-old Japanese, a regular in the Grand Slams in her prime, reaching the third round of Australian Open twice for her best results, felt dizzy during a rally.
Despite the medical help, Ayumi was unable to continue owing to the heat and humidity. Referee Puneet Gupta, who was on court, seeing the plight of Ayumi, decided to schedule the matches in two sessions from Wednesday, from 9 a.m. and the second at 3 p.m.
