Ankita Raina wins ITF women's title in Singapore

Ankita Raina, current Indian No. 1 in women's singles, won $25,000 ITF women's title in Singapore on Sunday. Raina defeated Dutch tennis player Arantxa Rus 6-3 6-2 to lift the trophy.

Raina had a disappointing run at the ongoing Australian Open. In the women's singles, Asian Games bronze medallist Ankita had a one-set advantage but went down 6-4 2-6 4-6 to Spain's 29th seed Paula Badosa Gibert, world number 142.

"I tried to play attacking tennis but I felt I slowed down a bit in the second set. I was aggressive again in the third. But the girl (opponent) was serving big today which was the deciding factor," said Raina after the match.

But dusting off the failure, Indian ace took out the top three seeds at the ITF Singapore to climb her way from quarter and semis to win the final.

India's @ankita_champ wins the ITF 25K title in Singapore, taking out the top three seeds in the quarters, semis and final with some authority. Currently placed at 203, she is expected to hit her career best rankings next week with the victory @dna

— Rutvick Mehta (@RutvickMehta) January 20, 2019

In women's doubles, paired with Uzbekistan's Sabina Sharipova, Raina had to give a walkover after Shaipova retired owing to an injury. The duo was leading 7-5 2-0 against the Dutch pair of Arantxa Rus and Quirine Lemoine.

Currently placed at 203 spot in world rankings, Raina is expected to better her position and hit her career best with this victory to support the claim.