Date:31/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/31/stories/2008033160342400.htm

Sport - Tennis

Double for Ashok

Principal Correspondent

— Photo: N. Sridharan

PROUD WINNERS: The winners of the Turbo Energy-Markers tennis tournament — Shanmugam (left) and Ashok — with the chief guest, Mr. Ananth Ramanujam, Managing Director, Turbo Energy Ltd. on Sunday.

CHENNAI: Krishnan Tennis Centre’s Ashok bagged a double in the Turbo Energy-Markers tennis tournament at KTC, Kottivakkam here on Sunday.

Ashok rallied to defeat Naveen (Madras Club) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to win the singles title. Earlier he had won the doubles title with Shanmugam (KTC).

Ashok settled down pretty quickly after the reverse in the first set. He started to move well and his shot selection got better as the match progressed. Once Ashok took a 2-0 lead, he was pretty much in control of most of the rallies.

Heavy breeze, however, made things difficult for both the players, which resulted in numerous unforced errors.

The decider had some thrilling rallies. The best of the lot, probably, came in the fifth game of the third set.

Superb shot

The left-hander Ashok ran to his right to unleash a fine down-the-line winner that beat Naveen all ends up. It gave Ashok an unassailable 4-1 lead.

The singles winner and runner-up took home Rs.5,000 and Rs. 3,000 respectively, while the doubles champions and runners-up received Rs. 4,000 and Rs. 2,000.

Mr. Ananth Ramanujam, Managing Director, Turbo Energy Ltd., gave away the prizes.

The result (singles final): Ashok (KTC) bt Naveen (Madras Club) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.