Ankita Raina reaches her first final of 2018 season in Gwalior

Raina had an interesting outing in the quarterfinals at this year’s USD 25,000 ITF event where she received a walkover from USA's Monica Robinson to progress to the semi-finals of the tournament. However, in the previous two rounds, Raina had to fight hard for to advance further as she beat compatriot Rishika Sunkara 6-2, 6-1 in the first round to battle it out with Turkish opponent s Berfu Cengiz in the second round where the match ended 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-2 in Ankita’s favor.

Raina faced Russian opponent Yana Sizikova in the semi-final match of the tournament, where she held a comfortable lead of 6-2 4-0. It was then, that Sizikova threw in the towel as she complained of dizziness and retired from the match. This meant that Raina had successfully managed to progress to her first final of the 2018 season at the ongoing event.

"When you reach the finals of a tournament, you are always fresh even if you have played three sets or have played an easy match," Ankita said.

Ankita is scheduled to play French player Amandine Hesse who ousted Slovakia's Tereza Mihalikova 6-4, 6-2 in her semi-final match.

"Any player who reaches the final is in good form, so I am expecting and looking forward to a god match tomorrow," Raina added.