Date:24/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/24/stories/2007122459862000.htm

Sport - Tennis

Triumph of spirit

— Photo: M. Karunakaran

WINNING SMILES: The winners in various categories of the The Hindu-Sportstar veterans tennis tournament.

Chennai: The participants might be getting on in years but stretched every sinew. Vijaya Kumar, Vijay Venkatesh, Manoj Chandani, Vivek Reddy, Jasper, Kartik Kailash, Venkatachalam and a host of others were all winners for performance and spirit at The Hindu-Sportstar veterans tennis tournament at the KTC courts on Sunday.

Vijaya Kumar played crisp tennis to beat Vijay Venkatesh 9-3 and walk away with the over-35 title. Former India Davis Cup captain Ramesh Krishan won the over-35 doubles prize with Manoj Chandani. The pair defeated Kartik Kailash and the U.S. based Vijay Venkatesh 6-1, 6-1.

In a thrilling contest, Jasper overcame Vivek Reddy 9-8 (6) to bag the over-45 title. Then, the two combined to stage a come-from-behind 2-6, 6-2, 10-5 win over Ramesh and Kartik Kailash. Ramesh gave away the prizes.

The results (All finals): Over 35 singles: Vijaya Kumar bt Vijay Venkatesh 9-3, Doubles: Ramesh Krishnan & Manoj Chandani bt Kartik Kailash & Vijay Venkatesh 6-1, 6-1; Over 45: Jasper bt Vivek Reddy 9-8 (6), Doubles: Vivek Reddy & Jasper bt Ramesh Krishnan & Kartik Kailash 2-6, 6-2, 10-5; Over-55: Venkatachalam bt Krishnan 9-4. — Special Correspondent