AITA Super Series: Sukhpreet storms into final; Lakshmi-Sai win doubles title

Chandigarh, December 19

Seventh seed Sukhpreet Singh Jhoje logged a comeback win over Daksh Prasad of Madhya Pradesh to storm into the boys’ U-16 final on the penultimate day of the St Stephen’s School CLTA-AITA Super Series Tennis Tournament here today.

Jhoje was on the back foot when he lost the first set 1-6, but he improved in quick time to win the next two sets 6-1 6-2 to confirm his place in the final. He will be facing fifth seed Jitin Kumar Chetry of Punjab, who posted a one-sided 6-0 6-4 win over local contender Aryan Thakur.

Meanwhile, in the boys’ U-18 semifinals, top seed Krishan Hooda managed to overpower a tough challenge from Jhoje. It was neck and neck in the first set, but Jhoje managed to steal it 7-5. In the second set, Hooda played calmly to pull off a 6-1 win. With scores level both the players gave their best to win the decider, but it was Hooda who had the last laugh as he registered a 7-5 win. Fifth seed Shashikant Rajput also reached the final by logging a comeback 4-6 6-3 6-2 win over Dhananjay Singh of Himachal Pradesh.

Lakshmi eyes twin title

Lakshmi Prabha Arunkumar of Tamil Nadu will vie for twin titles on Friday. In her girls’ U-18 semifinal, she defeated fourth seed Anjali Rathi of Haryana 6-4 6-4. She will be facing Maharashtra’s Ruma Ashutosh Gaikaiwari, who defeated third seed Sai Rajesh Bhoyar 6-4 6-1. In the girls’ U-16 semis, top seed Lakshmi defeated fourth seed Sai 7-5 6-4, while second seed Anjali Rathi of Haryana beat fifth seed Tanushri Pandey of Uttar Pradesh 6-4 6-1. The second-seeded pair of Sammr Raina and Vaibhav Singh Bisht defeated Uddayvir Singh and Gurustat Singh Makkar 6-4 1-6 10-5 to win the boys’ U-18 doubles final. In the boys’ U-16 doubles final, Deep and Daksh beat Adhirit Awal and Jaishnav Bajirao Shindey 7-5 5-7 10-5. Lakshmi and Sai won the girls’ U-18 title by defeating Madhurima Sawant and Ruma 5-7 6-1 13-11. —TNS