JOIN USIn the semifinals played on Thursday, Samuel moved into the title round without breaking a sweat when his West Bengal opponent Prem Singh conceded the match with the local boy leading 2-0 in the opening set.
In contrast, Sagar had to ward off a stiff challenge from another State-mate Nikhil Reddy. Nikhil clinched the first set 6-2, but let his grip loose as Sagar fought back his way into the game winning the next two sets 6-4, 7-6.
In girls’ under-18, top seed Nimisha Mohan of Karnataka vanquished Rachika Sarda 6-1, 6-0 to set up title clash with Padmapriya AK who rallied brilliantly to down Shalaka UM 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).
The boys’ under-16 final will be an all-Maharashtra affair between Saurabh Dilip Patil and Yash Deshpande. Patil quelled Monish Rajer of Tamil nadu 6-4, 1-6, 6-0 while Deshpande survived Om Dalvi scare before emerging a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 winner.
Results (semifinals): Boys, U-16: Rashein Samuel (Kar) bt Prem Singh (WB) 2-0 (conceded); Sagar Manjunath (Kar) bt Nikhil Reddy (Kar) 2-6, 6-4, 7-6.
U-16: Saurabh Dilip Patil (Mah) bt Monish Rajer (TN) 6-4, 1-6, 6-0; Yash Deshpande (Mah) bt Om Dalvi (Mah) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
Girls, U-16: Nimisha Mohan (Kar) bt Rachika Sarda (Kar) 6-1, 6-0; Padmapriya AK (Kar) bt Shalaka UM (Kar) 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).
U-16: Neena Reddy (TN) bt KS Sangita (TN) 6-2, 6-0; Preethi Gokhale (Kar) bt Preethi Ujini (Kar) 6-2, 6-4.