TN girls Kazima, Rathika bag titles

In the cadet girl’s final, the 12-year-old M Kazima brooked no opposition from her statemate S Abirami who was unable to get going. Kazima quickly got into a rhythm and pocketed the coins with consistent regularity to score a thumping 21-0, 21-0 victory against her hapless compatriot. 

Meanwhile, Rathika also came up with a steady performance to dash the hopes of Maharashtra Shruti Sonawane without much of a difficulty. Playing confidently the 14-yearold Rathika did not offer her rival much of a chance to get into the match and cruised to comfortable 15-2, 20-2 triumph. 

There was more disappointment for Maharashtra as Nilansh Chiplunkar and Om Taware went down fighting to Uttar Pradesh’s Krishnadayal Yadav and Mohd. Areeb of Delhi absorbing contests in the cadet boys’ singles and sub-junior boys singles finals respectively. 

The UP lad Krishnadayal held his nerves and played some fines shots at crucial junctures to overcome Nilansh 21-2, 8-14, 21-7 in the cadet boys final.

Meanwhile, Mohd. Areeb encountered quite a fight on hand against Om Taware as the two shared the opening two games which witnessed a very close and exciting affair. However, in the decider the Delhi lad played at a different level and with some clever play took the match away from his Maharashtra opponent and did not drop a single point in the third to complete a 9-7, 13-18, 21-0 victory. 

Cadet girls’ singles – Final: M. Khazima (TN) bt S. Abirami (TN) 21-0, 21-0. Third place:Rishita Keshri (UP) bt Saumya Yadav (UP) 4-16, 19-0, 17-2. Semi-finals: M. Khazima (TN) bt Saumya Yadav (UP) 19-4, 210; S. Abirami (TN) bt Rishita Keshri (UP) 18-6, 21-4. 

Cadet boys’ singles – Final: Krishnadayal Yadav (UP) bt Nilansh Chiplunkar (Mah) 21-2, 8-14, 21-7. Third place: Suraj Gaikwad (Vid) bt Jonathan Bonal (Mah) 16-10, 20-6. Semi-finals:Krishnadayal Yadav (UP) bt Suraj Gaikwad (Vid) 9-8, 21-5; N Chiplunkar (Mah) bt Bonal (Mah) 21-5, 21-7. 

Sub-junior girls’ singles – Final: R. Rathika (TN) bt Shruti Sonawane (Mah) 15-2, 20-2. Third place: Mantasha Iqbal (UP) bt A Rithika (TN) 21-8, 17-0. Semi-finals: R Rathika (TN) bt Mantasha Iqbal (UP) 7-12, 16-6, 14-9; S Sonawane (Mah) bt A. Rithika (TN) 1914, 21-0. 

Sub-junior boys singles – Final: Mohd Areeb (Dli) bt Om Taware (Mah) 9-7, 13-18, 21-0.