*Karnataka's BR Nikshep overcame a spiritied challenge from State-mate Vignesh S to advance to the summit clash in the RT Narayan memorial AITA under-16 National Series tennis tournament at the KSLTAcourts here on Friday. *
Nikshep will face Maharashtra's Rian D Pandole, who beat Sanil Jagitiani in the other semis, in the final on Sunday.
Playing with an upset stomach, the top seed Nikshep eventually prevailed 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 to book his place.
After Nikshep comfortably managed to take the opening set, Vignesh's sharp volleys and solid backhand plays earned him an early break in the second set.
After Nikshep levelled the second set at 4-4, Vignesh took the next two games to push the encounter to the decider.
Stung by the reverse, the top seed twice broke Vignesh's serve in the opening three games before closing out the set and the match in a canter.
In the other semifinals, Pandole came through against Jagitiani 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) in a long match that was marked by big rallies.
Though Pandole lost the first set, he came back to win the second set after a crucial break in the ninth game.
The third set saw both players trading breaks before Pandole spurned an opportunity when he was serving for the match at 5-4.
But the miss did not matter as the Maharastrian took the honours via a tie-break to seal his place in the final.
Both the girls' semifinals were one-sided affrais with first seed Snehal Mane outplaying Vaidehi Chaudhary 6-0, 6-1 while second seed R Abhinikka double bagelled sixth seed Shivani S Ingle.
DH News Service
Results: Semifinals: Boys singles: BRNikshep bt S Vignesh 6-1, 4-6, 6-1; Rian D Pandole bt Sanil Jagitiani 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1).Girls: Snehal Mane bt Vaidehi Chaudhary 6-0, 6-1; R Abhinikka bt Shivani S Ingle 6-0, 6-0. Reported by Deccan Herald 1 day ago.
Nikshep will face Maharashtra's Rian D Pandole, who beat Sanil Jagitiani in the other semis, in the final on Sunday.
Playing with an upset stomach, the top seed Nikshep eventually prevailed 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 to book his place.
After Nikshep comfortably managed to take the opening set, Vignesh's sharp volleys and solid backhand plays earned him an early break in the second set.
After Nikshep levelled the second set at 4-4, Vignesh took the next two games to push the encounter to the decider.
Stung by the reverse, the top seed twice broke Vignesh's serve in the opening three games before closing out the set and the match in a canter.
In the other semifinals, Pandole came through against Jagitiani 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) in a long match that was marked by big rallies.
Though Pandole lost the first set, he came back to win the second set after a crucial break in the ninth game.
The third set saw both players trading breaks before Pandole spurned an opportunity when he was serving for the match at 5-4.
But the miss did not matter as the Maharastrian took the honours via a tie-break to seal his place in the final.
Both the girls' semifinals were one-sided affrais with first seed Snehal Mane outplaying Vaidehi Chaudhary 6-0, 6-1 while second seed R Abhinikka double bagelled sixth seed Shivani S Ingle.
DH News Service
Results: Semifinals: Boys singles: BRNikshep bt S Vignesh 6-1, 4-6, 6-1; Rian D Pandole bt Sanil Jagitiani 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1).Girls: Snehal Mane bt Vaidehi Chaudhary 6-0, 6-1; R Abhinikka bt Shivani S Ingle 6-0, 6-0. Reported by Deccan Herald 1 day ago.