Rashien, Padma grab titles

Rohan Gaonkar drubs Monish Rajer to clinch boys under-16 crown

Rashein held his nerve to register a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 win over Maharashtra’s Samir Paranjpe, while Padma overcame a gruelling challenge from State-mate Shalaka UM 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.
Rohan Gaonkar took the boys’ under-16 crown with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-3 defeat of Monish Rajer .

A student of Christ Junior College, Rashien came into the match following brilliant performances right through the tournament, and the crowd expected to see him take the match in straight sets. Against all odds, Samir gave Rashien a run for his money with an array of ground strokes and delicate drops that saw him close in on his opponent. But the local lad did not flinch as he took the crown in the decider.

The surface conditions following Thursday’s rain had deteriorated and adapting to that proved the hardest task for both finalists.

Wary of his opponent’s prowess from the baseline, Samir pulled him forward on a number of occasions, but the hard-hitting Rashien broke his opponent in the tenth game to take the first set 6-4.

In disarray following the first-set loss, Samir threw his racquet to the ground and questioned referee G Aravind’s decisions quite a few times, forcing the referee to warn the player.  In the second set, the Maharashtrian stepped up his game and managed to break Rashien twice before taking it 7-5 to even things at a set apiece.

Rashien’s first-serve percentage went up and the localite surged ahead 3-0 in the third set with a series of forehand winners and deep volleys but Samir came right back, winning two consecutive games to edge to 2-3. Rashien stuck to his strong baseline game to take the next three games to wrap up the match and the title.
DH News Service

Results (all finals): Boys, under-18: Rashien Samuel bt Samit Paranjpe 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.
Under-16: Rohan Gaonkar bt Monish Rajer 6-1, 6-3. Girls, under-18: Padma Priya bt Shalaka UM 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.