Former World No 9 Andrea Pektovik’s comeback bid to professional tennis, after an injury lay off, begins with a first round tie against Georgia’s Sofia Shapatava in the inaugural Sanjay Kakade group Royal Indian Open WTA Challenger tournament, that kicks off at the Shiv Chattrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi here today. While Pektovik, Bratchikova and veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm carry the favourites tag, the Indian challenge will be led by national champion Prerna Bhambri, who faces Japan’s Misaki Doi in the opening round.