MUMBAI: Top seed Himanshu Bhatia had a fight on his hands facing off against Yati Gujarathi and had to dig deep to win in the super tie-breaker to make the final of the 45+ men's singles in the Jayant Roy Memorial S 400 Mumbai ITF Tennis Tournament, being played at the MSLTA and Woodehouse Gymkhana, here, on Tuesday.
After losing the first set 4-6, Bhatia got into rhythm early in the second, serving well and also stroking fluently from the baseline to run away with the set 6-1. His form continued in the super tie-breaker, prevailing 10-3 to set up a title clash with second seed Nittten Kirrtane, whose all round game helped him record a facile 6-0, 6-1 victory over Amit Tambe.
In the clash between two renowned coaches, Tahir Ali got the better of Dosa Ramarao in the men's 70+ semi-finals, winning a marathon encounter 2-6, 6-2, 10-3. Tahir Ali stll had enough left in the tank to team up with Govind Krishna Kumar and defeat Ramarao and Khushrow Shroff 6-1, 6-2 to win the 70+ men's doubles title.
The men's 55+ semi-finals saw former badminton international Bhushan Akut go down to Nagaraj Revanasiddaiah 4-6, 3-6. In the final, Nagraj will take on Chandra Bhushan, who beat USA's Nirmal Kumar Rajan 7-5, 3-0 (conceded).
In women's action, Japan's Mayuka Sakai blanked Samala Kale 6-0, 6-0 to make the semi-finals of the 45+ singles.
Results:
Men's Singles 45+ Semi Finals
Himashu Bhatia (IND) bt Yati Gujarathi (IND) 4-6, 6-1, 10-3; Nitten Kirrtane (IND) bt Amit Tambe (IND) 6-0, 6-1;
Men's Single 55+ Semi Final
Nagaraj Revanasiddaiah (IND) bt Bhushan Akut (IND) 6-4, 6-3; Chandra Bhushan (IND) bt Nirmal Kumar Rajan (USA) 7-5, 3-0 (Conceded);
Women's Single 35+
Sowmya Kamad Rao (IND) bt Namrata Garud (IND) 6-1 6-3; Priyanka Mehta (IND) bt Aruna Bhaskar Gangapatnam (IND) 6-3, 6-0;
Women's Single 45+ Quarter Finals
Mayuka Sakai (JPN) bt Shamala Kale (IND) 6-0, 6-0; Prerana Apte (IND) bt Sonal Vohra (IND) 6-2, 6-0;
Men's Single 70+ Semi Finals
Tahir Ali (IND) bt Ramarao Dosa (IND) 2-6, 6-2, 10-3; Govind Krishna Kumar (IND) bt Dhaval Patel (IND) 6-0, 6-1;
Men's Doubles 70 Final
Tahir Ali (IND)/Govind Krishna Kumar (IND) bt Ramarao Dosa (IND)/Khushrow Shroff (IND) 6-1, 6-2.
