Japan’s Uchijima wins ITF tournament in Pune

Moyuka Uchijima of Japan outplayed qualifier Tina Nadine Smith of Australia 6-4, 6-0 in the final of the NECC $40,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament at the Deccan Gymkhana in Pune on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Tina had a good start going up 2-0 and then leading 4-3. However, the 22-year-old Uchijima won the next nine games, dropping only 14 points in all to her opponent.

It was the ninth career singles title for Uchijima, who was winning her second successive title in India, after the one in Navi Mumbai a few weeks back. She had also won the title in Pune earlier.

The champion collected $4,903 and 50 WTA points. The runner-up pocketed $2,591 and 33 points. The players move to the next tournament with the same prize money in Indore from Monday.