Evansville, IN (July 19, 2024) – In a stunning upset, Indian rising star Sahaja Yamalapalli defeated the No. 2 seed, Elizabeth Mandlik, in the second round of The Women’s Hospital Classic W75 event in Evansville, Indiana. Yamalapalli, currently ranked No. 2 in India, showcased her phenomenal growth and determination by overcoming Mandlik, who is ranked 177 in the WTA rankings and a former top-100 player, with a final score of 6-3, 7-6 (5).
This victory marks a significant milestone for Yamalapalli, who had previously lost to Mandlik in straight sets in November 2023. The young Indian, who idolizes tennis legend Sania Mirza, has demonstrated remarkable progress in her game and is quickly establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with on the international tennis circuit.
With this win, Yamalapalli advances to the quarterfinals of the tournament, where she will face Iryna Shymanovich of Belarus, ranked 239 in the world. Yamalapalli’s success isn’t limited to singles; she and her doubles partner, Hiroko Kuwata, have also advanced to the semifinals and will face the formidable duo of Sophie Chang and Catherine Harrison.