Nitten, Vignesh win in ATP Challenger qualifiers

Pune, Oct 18 : Indian tennis players Vignesh Peranamallur and Nitten Kirrtane advanced to the second round of qualifiers at the $50,000 KPIT-ATP Challenger at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex here Saturday.

Vignesh defeated Suraj Prabodh 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 while Nitten Kirrtane beat Sahil Gaware 6-2, 6-3 in their first round qualifying matches.

Also advancing to the second round was Tejas Chaukulkar who downed Shaikh Abdullah 6-1, 6-2 and Purav Raja who defeated Akash Wagh 6-4, 6-2.

Twin brothers Sonchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana of Thailand also advanced to the next round. Sanchai thrashed compatriot Jatuporn Na Lamphun 6-2, 6-2 while Sonchat ousted India's Shahbaaz Khan with an identical score.

The tournament is being organised by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA).