Zeel Desai has done it again at Gurugram. The player from Gujarat claimed her fifth career ITF singles title at HCL ITF W15 Gurugram, defeating seventh seed Polina Kuharenko of Belarus (WTA 788) 6-2, 7-6(3) in the final to add another chapter to what is becoming a fine record for her at this venue.

Third seed Desai (WTA 617) was in control for most of the contest. The opening set was straightforward, but Kuharenko pushed back in the second, taking it to a tiebreak. Desai held firm, closing it out 7-3 to seal the title.

Her run to the final was not without its tests. In the quarterfinals, she dropped the opening set against fifth seed Michika Ozeki of Japan (WTA 651) before finding her rhythm to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The semifinal against sixth seed Ekaterina Yashina of Russia (WTA 675) was a different proposition entirely — Desai was dominant from the first game, wrapping it up 6-2, 6-2.

Gurugram has clearly suited Desai. She won here in 2025 as well, and titles in consecutive years at the same venue is a mark of consistency that goes beyond just good form on the day. Her five career ITF titles also span Monastir and Jhajjar in 2023, and Gwalior back in 2017 — a career that has grown quietly but steadily over a decade.