Aichi-Nagoya, 28 September (H.S.): India’s Ankita Raina and Rutuja Bhosale suffered a defeat in the women’s doubles tennis event at the Asian Games 2026. The Indian pair were beaten 5-7, 6-3, 10-5 by Kazakhstan’s Anna Danilina and Yuliya Putintseva in a closely fought contest on Monday.

Ankita and Rutuja made an impressive start to the match, winning the opening set 7-5. The Kazakh pair then staged a comeback, taking the second set 6-3.

The decisive match tie-break also witnessed a closely contested battle between the two pairs. However, Danilina and Putintseva performed better under pressure at crucial moments to win it 10-5 and book their place in the next round.

Ankita and Rutuja had made a strong beginning against a formidable pair by claiming the opening set. Putintseva is a top-100 player and regularly competes on the WTA Tour. However, the Indian pair were unable to maintain their early advantage until the end.

With this defeat, India’s women’s doubles campaign in tennis at the Asian Games has come to an end. Ankita Raina and Rutuja Bhosale, however, will continue their challenge in the mixed doubles event.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar