India No 1 Ankita Raina won her first-ever WTA singles main draw match, making the trip to Australia memorable after a disappointing doubles debut at the ongoing Australian Open.
However, there was a bigger shock for women’s tennis as beaten Australian Open title-holder Sofia Kenin was stunned by unranked teenager Olivia Gadecki.
World 181 Raina, who had to qualify for the tournament, came back from a set down to beat Elizabetta Cocciaretto 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 at Phillip Island Trophy.
In the qualifiers on Saturday, she had beaten Gabriella Da Silva Fick 6-0, 4-5, 6-4 making it back-to-back three-set wins.
The two-hour and 11 minutes win will take Raina to at least her new career-high singles rank of 156 from 181. If she goes deep, then she will ensure herself a place in top-150.
Raina had competed in the Yarra Valley Classic and Thailand Open on the WTA Tour but lost in the first round.
The 28-year-old Indian said the conditions were tough but eventually she found a way to…
