Chandigarh, May 29, 2016: Despite unleashing seven aces, fifth seeded Nidhi Chilumula of India lost to top seed Ola Zekry Abou of Egypt in the singles semi-final of the $ 10,000 ITF Women's Tennis Tournament at Sham El Sheikh (Egypt) on Saturday.
Nidhi put up a brave fight in the first set which was decided in tie-breaker. However, in the second set, the Indian player could not win even a singles game as Nidhi was broken in the second, fourth and sixth games. Abou won 7-6 (7), 6-0 in one hour and 44 minutes.
The top seeded player got a fine start as she broke Nidhi in the first game of the first set and led 5-3. Nidhi fought back and broke her rival in the 10th game to make it 5-5 and 6-6. Abou clinched the set in tie breaker 7-6 (7).
It was their second meeting in their career. Earlier, About had beaten Nidhi in quarter-final in 2014 at the same venue.
Eetee Maheta of India is partnering Eleni Kordolaimi of Greece in the doubles final against Ola Zekry About (Egy) and Kateryna Sliusar of Ukraine.