Ali Thameem
Naba Nishan has defeated the fifth-seeded Yishan Xu, a Chinese player, to reach the girls’ singles quarterfinals of the ITF Maldives Junior Open.
The fifteen-year-old won yesterday’s RO16 game by 7-5, 6-1. Naba, the three-time national tennis champion, is the only surviving Maldivian at the singles event.
Naba and her doubles partner Nayara Usama Ali had qualified for the quarters at the doubles event, but were defeated by Aaraa Aasal Azim’s pair.
“It’s an honor to represent my country in the quarters of an ITF tournament”, said Naba, speaking to local media Javiyani MV after the game.
Admitting that she is nervous being the only Maldivian in the final eight, Naba said she takes that as a positive feeling. “When I was playing the singles this morning, all the other (Maldivian) girls were out… and I was hoping that.. hopefully keep my (Maldivian) flag in one more round. And I think while it is some pressure, it is a pressure that I cherish having.”
Naba will face Russian player Elizaveta Zelenova in today’s quarterfinal game. Elizaveta had reached the quarters after defeating Maldivian player Manha Mohamed Ali in yesterday’s round-of-sixteen. The third Maldivian who made it to the RO16, Nayara Usama Ali, was also knocked out yesterday, by Chinese player Mengxi Sun.
