In a fascinating contest in which fortunes ebbed and flowed, Karthik played the bigger points better in a pulsating decider. The two lads had taken contrasting routes to the title round. While Karthik toyed with Akshay Mahunta, winning in straight games, in the first semifinal, Navneeth was taken all the way by a fighting Shreyal K Telang, eventually winning the decider on extra points.
Karthik and Navneeth will also contest the men’s final after getting the better of Sagayaraj and Anirban Tarafdar respectively in their last-four clashes.Madhuri R packed too many guns for Maithreyi Bailoor in the Youth girls’ final. In a largely one-sided title clash, Madhuri came through 11-6, 11-5, 16-14, 11-9.
Results: Youth boys, final: Karthik CP (BNM) bt Navneeth AR (CB) 6-11, 11-3, 11-8, 9-11, 11-2, 7-11, 11-9. (Semifinals): Karthik bt Akshay Mahunta (HTTA) 11-9, 11-4, 12-10, 11-3; Navneeth bt Shreyal K Telang (IOC) 9-11, 11-3, 11-9, 7-11, 2-11, 11-9, 12-10. Youth girls, final: Madhuri R (SAI) bt Maithreyi Bailoor (BTTA Belgaum) 11-6, 11-5, 16-14, 11-9. (Semifinals): Madhuri bt Nisarga Poojari 11-8, 12-14, 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6; Maithreyi bt Aishwarya Bidri (SBMJC) 9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8. Men’s singles, semifinals: Navneeth AR (CB) bt Anirban Tarafdar (CB) 12-10, 11-6, 12-10, 7-11, 11-3; Karthik CP bt Sagayaraj (SW Rrly) 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 14-12, 9-11, 11-4.
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