Eetee Maheta’s fine run came to an end as she was beaten 6-2, 6-4 by sixth seed Sandra Samir of Egypt in the semifinals of the $10,000 ITF women's tennis tournament in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
The 19-year-old Eetee, who had beaten the second seed in the first round, had endured three-hour matches in all the three earlier rounds. She needed medical attention during the course of the semifinal.
Eetee conceded early ground to her opponent, as she trailed 1-4 in both the sets, and was unable to fight beyond a point in the duel that lasted nearly two hours.
In the doubles final, top seeds Prarthana Thombare and Eva Wacanno beat second seeds Ola Abou Zekry and Eleni Kordolaimi, in a thrilling fashion, at 6-4, 7-6(5).
In the both the sets, the Indo-Dutch combination was down before they swung the tide in their favour.
It was the third doubles title in the last four finals for the 21-year-old Prarthana who trains at the Sania Mirza Academy in Hyderabad.
She had started the good run with the $25,000 title in Balikpapan, Indonesia, with Harriet Dart of Britain, in the last week of May. It was the fifth doubles title of the season and 12th career title for Prarthana who had won the Asian Games bronze medal with Sania Mirza in Incheon, Korea, last year. She has also won three singles titles.
The results:
$10,000 ITF women, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt: Singles (semifinals): Sandra Samir (Egy) bt Eetee Maheta 6-2, 6-4.
Doubles (final): Eva Wacanno (Ned) & Prarthana Thombare bt Ola Abou Zekry (Egy) & Eleni Kordolaimi (Gre) 6-4, 7-6(5).
