Suraj RN and Uttara Prakash posted straight-game victories to take the under-16 boys’ and girls’ singles titles respectively in the Mysore Sandal State-ranking badminton tournament at the ARI courts here on Tuesday.
Third seed Suraj overcame a stiff challenge from Jayanth Gowda 22-20, 21-19 to emerge victorious while Uttara dished out a dominating performance to outclass Reshma Karthik 21-18, 21-10.

Unseeded Gowda had only himself to blame for the defeat despite possessing a powerful smash as he committed unforced errors at crucial junctures to concede defeat.

The first game was evenly poised at 18-18, but Gowda erred twice at the net as Suraj held two game points.

Gowda pulled one back with a powerful smash and a Suraj then hit long as the game went to extra points.

However, Gowda faltered again at the net to give Suraj a third game point. This time, aided by a slice of fortune as the shuttle kissed the and dropped into Gowda’s side of the court after a long rally, Suraj eventually took the first game 22-20.

In the second game, Suraj opened up a five-point cushion at 17-12, but Gowda fought back to level things at 19-19.

Another error
Another Gowda error at the net gave Suraj his first match point and the 10th standard student of Mahila Seva Samaj school finished off the proceedings with a fine placement deep into the rival court.

In the girls’ final, Uttara dashed Reshma’s hopes of a double. Reshmad had earlier taken the under-13 title, but Uttara put up a clinical show. Uttara took the first game 21-18 and the senior player was in her elements thereafter while running her opponent ragged and coasting to victory with ease.

Results (all finals):
Boys: Under-16: Suraj RN bt Jayanth Gowda 22-20, 21-19.
Under-13: MC Srivas bt Sudeep Suresh 21-17, 21-9.
Under-10: Mithun Manjunath bt Abhishek Sonarkar 21-14, 21-16.
Girls: Under-16: Uttara Prakash bt Reshma Karthik 21-18, 21-10.
Under-13: Reshma Karthik bt Sindhu Bharadwaj 21-11, 21-10.