The Hindu : Sheethal at her crafty best

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 01, 2002

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Sheethal at her crafty best

By Kamesh Srinivasan

Sheethal Goutham, the winner of the singles title in the ITF women's circuit tennis tournament in Chandigarh on Friday. — Photo: S. Subramanium

CHANDIGARH MAY 31. Sheethal Goutham's magic continued to mesmerise opponents as the Bangalore girl clinched the title with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Ankita Bhambri in the final of the $ 5,000 ITF women's circuit tennis tournament at the CLTA Complex here on Friday.

It was Sheethal's third crown from five finals in the circuit apart from two Masters titles. It was also a sweet revenge for Sheethal who had lost in the final of the Masters to Ankita at Pune last month.

While Sheethal was at her crafty best — moving her opponent around, throwing in plenty of variation and cleverly denying the pace — Ankita was unable to play her best tennis.

With her serves blunted by the blocked returns of Sheethal, Ankita struggled throughout the match, despite smacking many winners. In fact, Ankita held serve only thrice in the whole encounter, once in each set.

In a match in which serve was broken 20 times, it was tough for the spectators to enjoy the action, and it was no surprise that a bunch of college boys, who made half the crowd, opted to walk out midway through the proceedings.

It was understandable, as both players were tired at the end of a tough week, playing two matches every day in singles and doubles. Sheethal, who will be celebrating her 21st birthday on June 6, had the final say thanks to her experience and tenacity.

Sheethal had beaten Ankita twice before in three meetings, and it was only on clay that she had lost to her. She had her strategy chalked out and put all her strength in holding serve at 4-4 in the decider which proved decisive.

It was commendable on the part of Sheethal to have retained her composure and fighting spirit, for she was at the receiving end of about half a dozen bad calls, including tough overrules by the chair umpire Birbal Wadhera.

Maybe, the umpire was also tired on a hot day and not able to judge his best in the final that lasted two hours and 30 minutes!

``I was fighting hard. It was an even match and anything could have happened,'' said Sheethal, quite pleased to collect the winner's purse of Rs. 27,517. Ankita had to be content with Rs. 19,050.

The doubles honours went to top seeds, Radhika Tulpule and Liza Pereiera, who downed Sheethal Goutham and Shruti Dhawan 7-6 (8-6), 6-4. The title was worth Rs. 15,050 for the winners while the second-seeded losers collected Rs. 8,104.

The Principal Secretary to the Government of Punjab and Chairman of CLTA, Mr. Rajan Kashyap, IAS, gave away the prizes.

The results (finals):

Singles: Sheethal Goutham bt Ankita Bhambri 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Doubles: Radhika Tulpule/Liza Pereira bt Sheethal Goutham/Shruti Dhawan 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.

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