Vaishnavi Adkar storms into Quarterfinals after epic comeback in KPB Trust ITF Women’s Open W100 Bengaluru 2026
Bengaluru, 19 February 2026: Vaishnavi Adkar delivered a statement win at the KPB Trust ITF Women’s Open W100 Bengaluru 2026 today, battling past eighth seed Mai Hontama (JPN) 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(8) in a pulsating three-set encounter to book her place in the Quarterfinals.
The 21-year-old Indian had to dig deep after a slow start as Hontama came out sharp, covering the baseline superbly and capitalising on Adkar’s early errors to break in the second game. Dictating rallies with consistency and depth, the Japanese player carried that momentum through to take the opening set 6-2.
Adkar, however, transformed the contest in the second set. Raising her intensity and stepping inside the baseline, she began forcing Hontama into uncomfortable positions. An early break in the second game gave her a foothold, and she raced to a 3-0 lead. Though Hontama broke back to narrow the gap to 3-2, Adkar continued to hammer returns and stretch rallies, drawing a flurry of errors. Even after failing to close out the set at the first opportunity, she responded with renewed aggression to break Hontama’s serve again and claim the second set 6-4.
The deciding set was a rollercoaster. Hontama struck first with a break in the third game, but Adkar immediately retaliated. The pair exchanged breaks again in the seventh and eighth games in a gripping battle of nerve and precision. Adkar came within a point of victory in the tenth game, only for Hontama to stave off match point and push the contest into a tie-break.
In the tie-breaker, Hontama surged to a 5-2 lead after a failed drop shot from Adkar. But the Indian refused to buckle as a pair of scorching forehand winners brought her back into contention and take the lead. Despite missing three more match points, she held her composure and at 9-8, Hontama sent a backhand into the net, handing Adkar a memorable win.
Elsewhere, Sahaja Yamalapalli (IND) fell 0-6, 0-6 to top seed Talia Gibson (AUS). Gibson found her range early, mixing deep forehands with delicate drop shots to break in the second game and dominate proceedings. She maintained that authority on serve in the second set, repeatedly punishing Sahaja with powerful returns to wrap up the match efficiently.
Fifth seed Polina Iatcenko defeated Arina Gabriela Vasilescu (ROU) 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 after recovering from a set down, while second seed Lanlana Tararudee (THA) overcame Mei Yamaguchi (JPN) 6-4, 6-4. Fourth seed Taylah Preston (AUS) advanced with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Kristiana Sidorova, and seventh seed Elena Pridankina eased past Jasmijn Gimbrere (NED) 6-0, 6-1. Fangran Tian (CHN) also progressed, beating Erika Andreeva 6-4, 6-3.
Later in the day, Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty was scheduled to take on third seed Hanne Vandewinkel (BEL).
Adkar will next face fourth seed Taylah Preston (AUS) in the quarterfinals tomorrow, setting up another high-quality contest.
Results:
Singles Round of 16
Vaishnavi Adkar (IND) bt 8-Mai Hontama (JPN) 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(8); 1-Talia Gibson (AUS) bt Sahaja Yamalapalli (IND) 6-0,6-0; 5- Polina Iatcenko bt Arina Gabriela Vasilescu (ROU) 6-7, 6-3, 6-2; Fangran Tian (CHN) bt Erika Andreeva 6-4, 6-3; 2-Lanlana Tararudee (THA) bt Mei Yamaguchi (JPN) 6-4, 6-4; 4-Taylah Preston (AUS) bt Kristiana Sidorova 6-3, 6-3; 7-Elena Pridankina bt Jasmijn Gimbrere (NED) 6-0, 6-1;
Doubles Quarter-final
Misaki Matsuda/ Eri Shimizu (JPN) bt 4-Dayeon Back/ Sohyun Park (KOR) 6-2, 6-4;
Please find attached photos.
Photo Credits – Deepthi Indukuri
