Sahaja Yamalapalli is ending the year on a high. The 23-year-old from Hyderabad has claimed her first title of 2023, just a week before the year ends. Ranked 412 in the world, Sahaja was taking on second-seeded Ekaterina Makarova in the final. Taking on an opponent ranked 226 spots ahead of her (ranked 186), Sahaja won the match rather easily (6-4, 6-3), lifting the ITF W25 Solapur title in straight sets.
After losing in the first round of the ITF W25 Austin last month, Sahaja Yamalapalli entered the ITF W25 Solapur with high hopes. To her and everyone’s shock, not only did she go undefeated, but she didn’t drop a single set on her way to the title.
Sahaja Yamalapalli’s breakthrough run at ITF W25 Solapur
After beating Ekaterina Makarova in the final on Sunday, Sahaja has broken several of her own records.
- First singles title of 2023 and the third title of her career.
- First win against a top 200 player (Makarova is ranked 186).
- Career high ranking of 340 (previous best 380 in June, 2023).
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Sahaja Yamalapall Road to the Title
- Round of 32: beat Smriti Bhasin 6-2, 6-2
- Round of 16: beat Madhurima Sawant 6-3, 6-0
- Quarterfinal: beat Hiromi Abe 6-3, 6-2
- Semifinal: beat Saki Imamura 7-6 (3), 6-2
- Final: beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 6-3.
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