Date:15/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/15/stories/2008021555812000.htm

Sport - Tennis

Rohit shocks Kashyap

BANGALORE: Kashyap Ashok, the top seed in the under-14 event, came a cropper against the fourth-seeded Rohit R. Gowda in the semifinals of the Tennis Advantage all-India ranking tennis tournament.

At the St. John’s Sports Academy courts here on Thursday, Rohit lost the first set 3-6 but came back strongly to topple Kashyap 6-4, 6-3.

Also losing in the semifinal was the top-seeded duo of Uttam Singh and Ganga Singh in the boys’ under-18 doubles category. They lost to Kamal and Sharan Patil 5-9 rather tamely.

Rachita on song

Rachita Sarda, the second seed in the girls’ under-18 section, is in line for a double. After outclassing the third-seeded Ravina Shetty 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinals, Rachita combined well with Nimisha Mohan to register a 9-2 win over Nivetha and Amla Amol Warick.

The results (all semifinals):

Boys: Under-14: Rohit R. Gowda bt Kashyap Ashok 3-6, 6-4, 6-3; Nikhil Reddy bt Prateesh 6-2, 6-0.

Under-18: Singles: S. Kamal bt Sharan Patil 6-3, 6-2; Uttam Singh bt Ajinkya Powar 7-5, 6-4; Doubles: S. Kamal & Sharan Patil bt Uttam Singh & Ganga Singh 9-5.

Girls: Under-14: S.P. Ritu bt Shruthi Ashok 6-4, 6-1; Preethi Ujjini bt Taarini Chandramouli 6-0, 3-6, 6-2.

Under-18: Singles: Nimisha Mohan bt Shalakha 6-1, 6-0; Rachita Sarda bt Ravina Shetty 6-2, 6-3; Doubles: Nimisha & Rachita bt Nivetha & Amla Amol Warick 9-2; Ravina & Shalakha bt Preethi & S.P. Ritu 9-1.