October 9, 2003	Thursday	Sha’aban 12, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

ISLAMABAD, Oct 8: Unseeded Lalit Mann of India sprang a surprise as he toppled Sri Lankan 4th seed Nishendiran Sivendiran in an engrossing three-set quarterfinal of the ITF International Junior tennis tournament at the Islamabad Club on Wednesday.

Rupesh Roy, the tournament’s top seed also moved into the semifinals as did his compatriot Sumit Gupta and Pakistan’s Shahzad Khan, all three scoring easy victories.

But Lalit had to fight hard to earn his semifinal ticket. After losing the first set 3-6, he recovered to win the next by the same scoreline.

With the match level 1-1, Lalit showed maturity in the final set. The score went up to 4-all as both players held their respective serves before Lalit broke the 9th game to earn what was a well-deserved victory.

His coach Birbal Wadhera was delighted. “It is a great win for him and will boost his confidence in the semifinal.”

Pakistani third seed Shahzad was in dazzling form as he routed Indian Vivek Shokeen, the 7th seed, 6-1, 6-2 by playing a powerful serve and volley game.

Rupesh, winner of the tournament’s first leg last week, continued to display explosive form and knocked out Pakistan’s Mutib Pasha 6-1, 6-0. Another home player also fell by the wayside, Sumit Gupta showing the door to Wasif Cheema.

On the girls side, the Indian pair of Shweta Kakhandki and Poojashree Venkatesh entered the final by defeating Amita Arudpragasam and Thiyumi Abeysinghe of Sri Lanka 6-2, 7-5.

Also winning their pre-final was the Thai team of Punjaporn Ditthim and Punchanok Khunpitak, who scored a 7-5, 6-2 win over Daksha Mulay of India and Thai Nungnudda Wannasuk.

Results: Boys singles quarterfinals: Rupesh Roy (Ind) bt Mutib Pasha 6-1, 6-0, Lalit Mann (Ind) bt Nishendiran Sivendiran (Sri) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, Shahzad Khan (Pak) bt Vivek Shokeen (Ind) 6- 1, 6-2, Sumit Gupta (Ind) bt Wasif Cheema (Pak) 6-3, 6-2.

Girls doubles semifinals: Shweta Kakhandki-Poojashree (Ind) bt Amita Arudpragasam-Thiyumi Abeysinghe (Sri) 6-2, 7-5, Pujaporn Ditthim-Punchanok Khunpitak (Tha) bt Daksha Mulay (Ind)-Nungnudda Wannasuk (Tha) 7-5, 6-2.