Kolkata, Jan 28: Top seed Navdeep Singh and second ranked Rupesh Roy carved out straight set victories in opening round singles matches of the ITF junior tennis championship at the DKS courts here today. While Roy overcame a spirited challenge from Bangalorean qualifier Manu Bajpai to win 6/2, 7/6 (7-4), Navdeep had little difficulty in accounting for Uzbek Talgat Baygulov 6-2, 6-4 to move into the second round.

In girls' singles, fourth seeded Indian S Punam Reddy proved better of compatriot Asha Nanda Kumar 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in a three setter, while eighth ranked Vandana Murali crushed Sanjana Kapoor 6-3, 6-2 on their way to the second round. Rupesh Roy also reached the quarter finals in doubles as he paired Anshuman Dutta to edge past Hungarian Botond Godry and Indian Rohan Gide 6/4, 7/6 (7-4)

City girl Shivika Burman, after reaching the second round in singles yesterday, also made it to the round of eight in the doubles as she joined forces with Ukraine girl Iryna Matychyk, to snuff out a feeble challenge from the Indian pair of Parija Maloo and Poojashree Venkatesh 6/4,6/3.

Bureau Report