LIC’s Naga Vinayak made short work of team-mate Jaison Xavier  21-6, 21-13 to lift the men’s title in the ninth inter-institutional badminton championship at the K Raheja Stadium here on Tuesday.
Naga later teamed up with Jaison to beat another LIC pair of Kishore Kumar-Soumen Bhattacharya 21-6, 21-15 to claim a double while Leena Dharpe coasted to a 21-18, 21-14 win over BSNL’s Jyothi Swaroopa to ensure LIC’s clean sweep on the final day.
Naga, a doubles specialist, had never won a singles game against Xavier but that track record didn’t matter much on a day when he dominated the proceedings right from the start. Riding on some neatly-executed drop shots, the 26-year-old Hyderabadi took nine points on the trot to seal the first game 21-6. Jaison, on the other hand, seemed vulnerable at the net and also committed a series of judgement errors.
The second game too was no different with Naga not conceding the lead at any stage. Jaison was a trifle slow than his taller opponent and Naga moved him around before finishing off the points.
Aided by a couple of powerful smashes, Naga secured a six-point cushion with the score at 17-11 and later comfortably finished off the tie at his first match point at 21-13.
In the women’s event, Leena picked up after a hesitant start to post an easy victory. With the score reading 8-all in the opening game, Leena snatched six consecutive points before closing out the game 21-18.
Leena’s backhand drop caught her rival off guard on many occasions. The second game was a cakewalk for Leena as Jyothi surrendered without a fight.
Results (all finals): Men: Singles: Naga Vinayak (LIC) bt Jaison Xavier (LIC) 21-6, 21-13. Doubles: Naga Vinayak/ Jaison Xavier (LIC) bt Kishore Kumar/ Soumen Bhattacharya (LIC) 21-16, 21-15.
Women: Singles: Leena Dhapre (LIC) bt Jyothi Swaroopa (BSNL) 21-18, 21-14.