September 01, 2007	Saturday	Sha’aban 18, 1428

KARACHI, Aug 31: Thailand’s Nuttorn Tanchainant and India’s Soniya Dayal completed a rare double when they captured the boys and girls’ singles crown in the ITF juniors ranking tennis tournament (second leg) at the Karachi Club on Friday.

The unseeded Nuttorn maintained his ascendancy by inflicting a 6-3, 6-4 defeat on third seed Tanveer Ashiq of Pakistan in a 70-minute duel. His victim in the previous leg was also a home player, Nasir Mushtaq.

Picking up from where she had left, third seed Soniya outpaced the Sri Lankan top seed Jithmie Jayawickrema 6-3, 6-1 in the title clash, which lasted about one hour.

The Lankan had pulled out from the first leg following a clash with the national championship back home. She is Sri Lanka’s No 1 in the ladies’ Open.

Soniya, teaming up with compatriot Inayat, edged past Jithmie/Sarah 6-2, 6-3 which enabled her to pick a double crown.

The boys’ doubles title went to Nehal Kapoor/Gugan Varma who overcame stiff opposition to beat the Sood twins — Lakshit and Chandril — 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 in a All-India final.

“I’m extremely delighted on adding yet another feather to my cap after my success last weekend,” a jubilant Nuttorn told Dawn after receiving his prize.

The triumph in the first leg has given me more confidence he said, adding that service and volleys were his strong points in the final.

“It’s amazing to win back-to-back events on this side of the border,” Soniya told Dawn.

When asked whether she would like to emulate Indian tennis star Sania Mirza’s feat, Soniya answered in the affirmative.

She disclosed that the level of competition among womenfolk has risen in India after Sania hit the headlines globally. The game has also attracted a lot of sponsors, she added.

After breaking his opponent’s serve at 3-3, Nuttorn raced to clinch the first set 6-3.

However, service frequently changed hands in the next as the two players fought neck-and-neck before Nuttorn won 6-4.

Soniya, who became familiar with the playing conditions by appearing in the first leg, won the girls’ title in contrasting style. She was quick to wrap up in straight sets.

Results: (finals)

Boys’ singles: Nuttorn Tanchainant (Thai) bt Tanveer Ashiq (Pak) 6-3, 6-4.

Girls’ singles: Soniya Dayal (Ind) bt Jithmie Jayawickrema (Sri Lanka) 6-3, 6-1.

Boys’ doubles: Nehal Kapoor/Gugan Varma (Ind) bt Lahskit Sood/Chandril Sood (Ind) 0-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Girls’ doubles: Soniya Dayal/Inayat Khosla bt Jithmie Jayawickrema/Sarah Mahboob 6-2, 6-3.