Myneni enters final

Fourth seed Saketh Myneni stunned second-seeded Ranjeet Virali-Murugesan in straight sets to storm into the final of the $10,000 Prem Sugars ITF Mandya Open tennis tournament here on Friday.

Myneni played the big points better, defeating Ranjeet 7-6, 6-3 to set up a title clash against top seed Vijayant Malik. Malik too produced a fine peformance, easing past third seed N Sriram Balaji 6-4, 6-2 in 75 minutes.

In an absorbing contest that lasted 95 minutes, Myneni hit the front first when he took a 4-2 but Ranjeet fought back to force a tie-break.

In the tie-breaker, it was Myneni all the way as he raced ahead and closed out the set, winning seven straight points without conceding one to his rival. Myneni dominated the proceedings from then on, taking the second set.

Balaji and Arun Prakash Rajagopalan captured the doubles title, defeating Myneni and Bowen Ouyang 7-5, 6-1.

Results (prefix denotes seeding, Indians unless mentioned): Singles, semifinals: 4-Saketh Myneni bt Ranjeet Virali-Murugesan 7-6, 6-3; 1-Vijayant Malik bt N Sriram Balaji 6-4, 6-2. Doubles, final: N Sriram Balaji/ Arun Prakash Rajagopalan bt Saketh Myneni/ Bowen Ouyang (Chn) 7-5, 6-1.