Gopi Chand bags sixth straight trophy

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, AUG. 6. The National champions, P. Gopi Chand and Aparna Popat have an enduring relationship with the BPL badminton championships. Year after year, they have ensured that their names is engraved on the winner's trophy and this year's edition was no different. P. Gopi Chand recorded his sixth straight title triumph in the men's singles while Aparna Popat claimed the title for the fourth time.

The two singles finals proved to be lopsided as Nikhil Kanetkar, after an early promise, fizzled out against the crafty Gopi Chand who won 15-11, 15-6 in a tie lasting just over an hour while, Aparna Popat drubbed an off colour challenger, B.R. Meenakshi of Karnataka 11-3, 11-4 in under 40 minutes. Gopi Chand claimed Rs. 50,000 in prize money while Aparna's purse was worth Rs.30, 000.

Nikhil Kanetkar's display, after his spirited show against Sachin Ratti in the semifinals, came as a disappointment. But then when one is up against player of Gopi Chand's calibre it is difficult to charter a different course unless one is very innovative. Kanetkar did play in his attacking mould, unleashing blistering half smashes and sharp flicks. But Gopi Chand was far more consistent with his retrievals and he later found his rhythm and began mixing his shots well to derail Kanetkar.

In the first game, Kanetkar ran up a 5-0 lead in blistering fashion, but Gopi Chand nudged his way back to level at 5 all and took a 11-6 lead. Kanetkar perhaps played his best game at this stage, with a relentless drive and had a defensive Gopi Chand on the mat. He tied at 11 all. But Gopi Chand found his confidence with two stinging on the line returns and that was enough to tilt the balance.

With Gopi Chand, in the game point, Nikhil Kanetkar staged another defiant stand, and the two rallied from back court at breakneck pace, before Kanetkar pushed hit the net.

The second game belonged to Gopi Chand as he smashed past his rival's defences for a 10-2 lead. Kanetkar kept a brave front saving match point thrice at 4-14 and took two more points in the bargain but the end came soon with Kanetkar flicking out a return.

``I need this win as I am leaving for the Malaysian Open next week. I am satisfied with the way I played this championship,'' said the 27-year-old Gopi Chand.

Aparna Popat expected a tough match as the 20-year-old Meenakshi almost knocked her out of the tournament last year in the semifinals. But Meenakshi, who was a runner-up to Aparna in the Nationals, was simply not in a mood for a fight as she tamely allowed Aparna to stomp all over her.

Meenakshi made too many unforced errors, hitting her returns wide and netted quite often. She tried to push the pace too much early in the game. But for someone like Aparna who is pretty quick on feet, such tactics are counter productive. ``It was much easier than expected. But I guess Meenakshi seemed to be flustered. It is my first title here after the Nationals, I am happy with it,'' said Aparna. Meenakshi conceded that it was a bad match for her. ``I did nothing right.'' she said.

Markose Bristow and Vijaydeep Singh, over the year, have forged a strong combination and they claimed the men's doubles title with a 17-14, 15-8 victory over Jaseel P.Ismail and Vincent Lobo. The seasoned pair of P.V.V. Lakshmi and Madhumitha Bhist stopped the young Andhra Pradesh duo, Shruthi Kurien and G. Jwala at 15-1, 15-5.

B.R.Meenakshi, however, had a consolation as she won the mixed doubles title partnering Markose Bristow. They beat the Andhra pair, G.Jwala and J.B.S.Vidhyadhar 15-4, 9-15, 15-4.

The results (all finals): Men's singles: P. Gopi Chand (IOC) bt Nikhil Kanetkar (IOC) 15-11,15-6. Doubles: Markose Bristow (IOC) & Vijaydeep Singh (Rlys) bt Jaseel P.Ismail (IOC) & Vincent Lobo (ONGC) 17-14, 15-8.

Women's singles: Aparna Popat (IOC) bt B.R.Meenakshi (Kar) 11-3, 11-4. Doubles: P.V.V.Lakshmi (BPCL) & Madhumita Bhist (Rlys) bt Shruthi Kurien & G.Jwala (AP) 15-1, 15- 5.

Mixed doubles: B.R.Meenakshi & Markose Bristow bt G.Jwala & J.B.S.Vidhydhar (AP) 15-4, 9-15, 15-4.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Jones runs fastest 100m of the year
Next     : Kidambi promises much