Indian Billie Jean King Cup star Rutuja Bhosale secured a hard-fought victory in the first round of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) W100 Araba Open, defeating Spain’s Mercedes Aristegui in a thrilling three-set encounter.

Bhosale showcased her resilience and determination, overcoming a mid-match setback to clinch the match with a final scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. The win earns her 12 valuable WTA ranking points and sets up a challenging second-round clash against rising star Linda Fruhvirtova.

Fruhvirtova, a 19-year-old Czech player and former top-50 WTA ranked athlete, enters the match as the number 3 seed and currently holds the world ranking of 146. The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for approximately 5:00 PM IST on Thursday, July 18th.

Bhosale’s impressive performance in the opening round demonstrates her competitive spirit and ability to perform under pressure. Tennis enthusiasts and fans eagerly await the second-round showdown, which promises to be a captivating display of skill and athleticism.