At the US$25,000 ITF Women's Circuit event in Pune, India, Zhang Ling defeated Katarina Polunina in the second round when the Ukrainian had to retire when trailing 6-3, 3-0. In the doubles, Zhang Ling teamed up with Varatchaya Wongteanchai of Thailand to oust No. 3 seed Rushmi Chakravarthi and Isha Lakhani of India, 7-6(0), 6-3.
Travelling Coach, Alastair Todd, reports from India: "Another good day as Zhang Ling was in control throughout the match, and was never really forced to bring her 'A' game against the Ukrainian. She kept her first serve percentage high, and was able to put a lot of pressure on her opponent's service games with some solid returning. At 3-0 in the second, lack of conditioning caught up with Polunina and she retired with heat related issues."
If not for the eleventh hour withdrawal, Zhang Ling would most likely be facing the number one seed at this stage of the tournament. Instead, she faces qualifier for a place in the semifinals of a C25. Next up for Zhang Ling in the quarterfinals is Korean qualifier, Chae Kyung-Yee, who knocked out India's Sanaa Bhambri in round one and Parul Goswami (WTA 961) in the second.
Earlier in the first round, Zhang Ling accounted for qualifier, Kumari-Sweta Solanki of India, 6-0, 7-5, dropping only four points in that opening set. Her opponent then battled well to race to a 4-0 lead in the second set before Zhang Ling leveled at 4-4 and then added a final break at the end to wrap up the win.
In the women's doubles, third-seeded Indian pair Rushmi Chakravarthi and Isha Lakhani flew out of the blocks to establish a 5-2 lead only to see Zhang Ling and Varatchaya Wongteanchai claw their way back to force a tiebreak, which they won without dropping a point.
"The momentum began to swing and the Indian pair's frustration became obvious. From there, they maintained their advantage, and went on to win the match, 7-6(0), 6-3," said Alastair Todd.
The HK-Thai duo will now face No. 2 seeds Nina Bratchikova and Sandy Gumulya in the semifinals. Up top, wildcard entry Wynne Prakusya and Angelique Widjaja had accounted for top-seeded Neha Uberoi and Silvia Disderi of Italy, 6-1, 7-5, and will now faces inexperienced Korean pair, Chae Kyung-Yee and Shin Jung-Yoon, for a place in the finals.
Results
US$25,000 ITF Women's Circuit
Pune, India
12 - 18 November 2007
WOMEN'S SINGLES
First Round
Zhang Ling (HKG) d. (q)Kumari-Sweta Solanki (IND) 6-0 7-5
Second Round
Zhang Ling (HKG) d. Katarina Polunina (UKR) 6-3 3-0 ret'd
WOMEN'S DOUBLES
First Round
Zhang Ling/Varatchaya Wongteanchai (HKG/THA) d. Julia Parasyuk/Katarina Polunina (RUS/UKR) 6-2 6-4
Quarterfinal
Zhang Ling/Varatchaya Wongteanchai (HKG/THA) d. Rushmi Chakravarthi/Isha Lakhani (IND) 7-6(0) 6-3