Rastogi takes boys' title

By Our Sports Reporter

CHENNAI, SEPT. 22. Karan Rastogi and Isha Lakhani of India clinched their maiden under-18 boys' and girls' titles respectively in the ITF junior tennis tournament held at the SDAT Nungambakkam Stadium here on Saturday.

Rastogi's retrieving skills came to the fore in his 7- 6 (8-6), 6-4 win over top-seeded Rohan Gajjar, while in the girls' final Dandeniya Rebecca of Great Britain conceded after complaining of fever, trailing 0-3 in the first set tiebreaker. In all, it was a rich haul for India as it claimed the singles and doubles titles in both categories.

While the girls' final got over abruptly, it was the boys' clash that held the attention of the crowd. The two boys from Mumbai did not disappoint, as they put up a sterling display in a match which saw fortunes fluctuating.

Gajjar's strength is his free flowing backhand and powerful forehand shots, while his smaller opponent Rastogi relies more on keeping the ball in play, with chip and charge tactics. Today, Rastogi did not try to do too much, just hitting the ball into the court, retrieving well, and allowing the opponent to go for the shots and commit mistakes, and his opponent Gajjar fell into the trap.

Rastogi ran up a 4-2 lead in the first set, breaking Gajjar's serve in the first, third and fifth games, and being broken in the fourth. Hitting shots with depth and power, and serving well, the top seed, however, levelled scores at 4-4. Then Rastogi broke Gajjar after messing up three breakpoints, to go up 6-5.

Numerous unforced errors from Rastogi on his serve in the twelfth game helped Gajjar get into the set, forcing the match into a tiebreaker.

Getting his power shots right and serving well, Gajjar raced to a 6-4 lead. But Gajjar gifted the next four points to Rastogi - three fierce forehands going well wide, and a backhand volley finding the net.

Rastogi emerged stronger in the second set even as Gajjar's power game started to disintegrate. Taking a 5-1 lead, Rastogi was all set to serve for the match in the seventh game when there emerged a mini renewal from Gajjar. Hitting his trademark whipping forehand and down-the-line backhand winners, Gajjar took the next three games. Tension was written all over Rastogi's face when he had two match points on Gajjar's serve, finally coming good in the second one to win in one hour and 50 minutes.

Rastogi exorcised his demons by beating Gajjar for the first time in his career. For Gajjar, success in Chennai continues to be elusive. ``Chennai has been unlucky for me as I have lost in all the four finals,'' said the top seed.

Earlier, in the girls' section, Dandeniya and Isha played an attacking game, however it was Dandeniya who was more aggressive. But at the same time, she committed a lot of unforced errors. Isha played a similar game, the difference being she almost always kept the ball in play. When the set went into the tiebreaker, with Isha leading 3-0, Dandeniya conceded the match.

One of the officials said Dandeniya had been running high fever even in her semifinal match against Megha Vakharia, but had played on.

It was a sweet double for Isha, who on Friday won the doubles title with Megha.

Isha and Rastogi got 40 ITF points for their singles effort, while the runners-up received 30 points.

Mr. P.W.C. Davidar, Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, gave away the prizes.

The results (finals):

Boys: 3-Karan Rastogi bt 1-Rohan Gajjar 7- 6 (8-6), 6-4. Doubles: Somdev K. Dev Varman/Jaco T. Mathew bt 7-Al Imron/Immanuel Prakoso (Ina) 7-6, (7-2), 7-6 (7- 1).

Girls: 11-Isha Lakhani bt 3-Dandeniya Rebecca (GBR) 6-6 (3-0) conceded. Doubles: 3-Isha Lakhani/Megha Vakharia bt 1-Diana Julianto/Maya Rosa (Ina) 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-4.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Dokic wins battle of teenagers