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Giant-killer Smriti Bhasin came up with the goods when it mattered most to score a come-from-behind victory over Karnataka’s Harshini N Nagaraj in the second round of the ITF Mysuru Open at the Mysore Tennis Club court on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Hyderabadi, who ousted fifth seed Carolann Delaunay in her opener, saved three match points – two in the second set and one in the tie-breaker – for a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) victory over the promising player from Bengaluru.

Elsewhere, in a minor upset, Pooja Ingale edged out eighth-seeded Humera Bharamus, her doubles partner, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) to set up a meeting with second-seeded American Jessie Aney, who annihilated wildcard entrant Sahira Singh for the loss of just one game in a mere 50 minutes.

Also enjoying an easy ride was top-seeded Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, who hardly broke into a sweat during her 6-1, 6-3 workout against Tanisha Kashyap.

TOUGH GOING

Smriti was made to work hard by the young Harshini, who was up 5-4 and serving for the match in the decider at 40-30. The Hyderabadi saved it with a brilliant drive volley.

But a poor return of serve gave Harshini another match point. Smriti saved that too with another brilliant volley. The senior pro then followed that up with two flowing down the line winners to break her young rival.

The two players then broke each other once to take the match into the tie-breaker, which was an even-steven affair (6-6) before the heavens opened up. When the players returned on court a little over an hour later, Harshini came up with a brilliant overhead smash to go up 7-6.

Smriti’s backhand winner caught the Karnataka player napping. The Hyderabadi, who struggled with her serve right through the match, served smartly to go up 8-7 and sealed the match when Harshini’s sliced backhand return of serve sailed just long.

SOHA-AKANKSHA PAIR IN SEMIS

Karnataka’s Soha Sadiq and partner Akanksha Nitture sailed into the doubles semifinals with a lopsided 6-0, 6-1 win over Abhilasha Bista (Nepal) and Paavanii Paathak. They will next meet the Russian pair of Polina Kaibekova and Ralina Kalimullina.

Results (prefix denotes seeding, Indians unless mentioned):

Singles (Round 2): 7-Akanksha Nitture bt Shria Atturu (USA) 6-3, 6-4; 4-Riya Bhatia bt Kaili Demi Teso (Jpn) 6-3, 6-3; Poona Ingale bt 8-Humera Baharmus 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6); Smriti Bhasin bt Harshini N Nagaraj 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7); 3-Elena Jamshidi (Den) bt Polina Kaibekova (Rus) 6-4, 6-2; 2-Jessie Aney (USA) bt Sahira Singh 6-0, 6-1; 1-Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty bt Tanisha Kashyap 6-1, 6-3; Lakshmiprabha Arunkumar bt Yashaswini Panwar 6-3, 6-3.

Doubles (Quarters): 1-Jessie Aney (USA)/ Riya Bhatia bt Smriti Bhasin/ Elena Jamshidi (Den) 6-2, 6-3; 4-Soha Sadiq/ Akanksha Nitture bt Abhilasha Bista (Nep)/ Paavanii Paathak 6-0, 6-1; Diva Bhatia/ Sai Samhitha bt Sravya Shivani Chilakalapudi/ Carolann Delaunay (N Cal) 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 10-6; Polina Kaibekova/ Ralina Kalimullina (Rus) bt Humera/ Pooja Ingale 5-7, 6-3, 10-7.

CAPTION: Pix-1: India’s Roya Bhatia makes a backhand return during her win over Japan’s Kaili Demi Teso in the second round at the ITF Mysuru Open on Thursday.

Pix-2: Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty in action in the second round against Tanisha Kashyap at the ITF Mysuru Open on Thursday.

Pix-3: Soha Sadiq (right) and Akanksha Nitture during their quarterfinal win in the doubles event at the ITF Mysuru Open on Thursday.