Date:20/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/09/20/stories/2004092005251800.htm

Sport - Tennis

Jeevan, Sandhya justify top billing

Our Sports Reporter

CHENNAI, SEPT. 19. Top seeds Jeevan Nedunchezian and Sandhya Nagraj won the singles titles in the boys' and girls' categories in the TTT-ITF junior championships, at the YMCA-Nandanam courts on Saturday. Both finals were one-sided affairs. Jeevan beat Prateek Shantharaju 6-2, 6-0, while Sandhya beat Sandri Gangothri 6-3, 6-2.

Jeevan wrapped up the first set in 30 minutes after breaking his opponent's serve twice to go 5-1 up. The second set was a virtual massacre. Prateek was broken in the first, third and fifth games and Jeevan took the set in just 20 minutes to win the championship match.

Prateek was undone by his weak serves. The left-handed Jeevan's second serves were probably faster than his opponent's first. And Prateek was unable to put any pressure on Jeevan's weak backhand. The top-seed's powerful groundstrokes settled the issue in double-quick time.

In the girls' final, Sandhya seized the initiative at the outset. She broke fourth-seeded Sandri's serves in the first and third games. Leading 4-1, Sandhya committed three double-faults and surrendered the game at 15. But she broke Sandri's serve for the third time to win the first set 6-3 in 28 minutes.

In the second set Sandri was broken in the second. Although she broke Sandhya in the fifth, Sandri was unable to hold serve in the very next game, and eventually lost 6-3, 6-2. Both served poorly, with very few first serves getting in; but Sandri made too many unforced errors to pose a serious threat.

Jeevan and Sandhya also won the doubles events, partnering Anantha Bhaskar and Vandana Murali respectively.

Mrs. Rukmini Gopalakrishnan, wife of S. Gopalakrishnan (Banking Ombudsman, TN & Pondicherry) gave away the prizes. Birbal Wadhera was the chief referee for the tournament, while R. Rangarajan was the chief of umpires.

The results: Singles: Boys: Jeevan Nedunchezian bt Prateek Shantharaju 6-2, 6-0. Girls: Sandhya Nagaraj bt Sandri Gangothri 6-3, 6-2. Doubles: Boys: Anantha Bhaskar / Jeevan Nedunchezian bt Parival Rathnaswamy / Prateek Shantharaju 6-3, 6-4; Girls: Vandana Murali / Sandhya Nagaraj bt Ashmitha Easwaramurthi / Pooja Komireddy 3-0 (retd.)