Sport - Tennis

Isha Lakhani emerges champion

— Photo: S. Gopakumar

CHAMPION STUFF: Isha Lakhani roared back after losing the first set against Miki Miyamura.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The top-seeded Isha Lakhani emerged the champion of the BSNL-Kerala Open after she rallied to defeat the sixth-seeded Miki Miyamura of Japan 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-4 at the TTC courts here on Saturday.

The final of the week-long event was, however, an anti-climax as the two-hour 49-minute encounter never reached expected heights despite going down to the wire. The string of unforced errors committed by both players spoilt the show.

In the first set, Isha raced to a quick 5-2 lead. However, Isha, after breaking Miyamura in the third and seventh games, saw her form dip in the eighth game when she failed to serve out the first set after committing three unforced errors in a row.

The Japanese, given the opportunity to stage a comeback, grabbed it with both hands and soon caught up with Isha at 5-5. She then pushed the set into the tie-breaker which she won convincingly.

In the second, the Indian once again failed to capitalise on her early lead and allowed Miyamura to level at two. Isha was, however, lucky to find another break in the fifth game and went on to take the second set.

The decider witnessed a lot of unforced errors from Isha and Miyamura as they traded serves in the eighth and ninth games.

Isha finished the match with another break of serve in the 10th game to pick up a cheque for $ 1568. Miyamura took home $ 980.

K.S. Sreenivasan, BSNL Chief General Manager (Kerala Circle), gave away the prizes in the presence of Kerala Tennis Association president, Mathew Samuel.

The result: Singles (final): Isha Lakhani (Ind) bt Miki Miyamura (Jpn) 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-4.

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