Desai, Patki, Murmu claim singles gold

By Narrendra Bhale

Indore (Team Newsbuddy): Experience reigned supreme at the UTT 31st Masters National Championships as veteran paddlers showcased their enduring class at the Abhay Prashal Indoor Hall. Maharashtra’s Yogesh Desai, a stalwart in the 70+ category, clinched his fifth title, overcoming state mate Percy Mehta in a commanding straight-game victory.

Demonstrating resilience and skill Desai remained unbeaten in the finals of his category. Though pushing hard in the second game, Mehta found himself outmanoeuvred in the deuce, as Desai’s consistency and tactical edge secured him a well-earned victory. Earlier, Mehta outlasted Promod Soni of Madhya Pradesh 3-1 in the semifinals, while Desai breezed past Shivanand Kundaje, also from Maharashtra, in straight games.

Soni kept himself in the match when he levelled the score, but Mehta won the crucial third game at 12-10 after the Madhya Pradesh paddler failed to capitalise on the chance he got as far too many unforced errors done him in. Shivanand, on the other hand, never got an opportunity against Desai who was clinical in his performance.

Keeping Maharashtra’s legacy alive, Ranjana S. Patki added another gold to her collection, defeating Rajeshwari Mhetre 3-1 in the women’s 65+ singles final. The duo, familiar foes in the veteran circuit, put on yet another competitive display. While Rajeshwari took a hard-fought third game, Ranjana asserted her dominance in the fourth, closing the contest with her trademark composure.

Rajeshwari edged past in the semifinals, fellow Maharashtrian Deepa Jain in straight games, cashing in on crucial deuce points. Ranjana, meanwhile, held off Delhi’s Indu Sharma, recovering from a second-game setback to close out the match convincingly.

West Bengal’s Mantu Murmu reaffirmed her status as a force to reckon with. In the women’s 60+ category singles final, she effortlessly dispatched Rubi Kaur of Madhya Pradesh in straight games for the title. Mantu’s calculated approach and experience kept Rubi on the backfoot throughout, with only the second game offering any real contest.

In the semifinals, Mantu dominated Avinash Kaur (Gujarat) in straight games, and Rubi overcame a stiff challenge from Rashmi Soni, also from Madhya Pradesh, clinching a nail-biting first game 14-12 before sealing the match in the second.

RESULTS:

Men’s Singles 70+: Yogesh Desai (Mah) bt Percy Mehta (Mah) 11-5, 12-10, 11-5.

Semifinals: Percy Mehta bt Pramod Soni (MP) 11-9, 4-11, 11-7, 11-6; Yogesh Desai bt Shivanand Kundaje (Mah) 11-6, 11-7, 11-7.

Women’s Singles 65+: Final: Ranjana S. Patki (Mah) bt Rajeshwari Mhetre (Mah) 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-1.

Semifinals: Rajeshwari Mhetre bt Deepa Jain (Mah) 12-10, 12-10, 11-9; Ranjana Patki bt Indu Sharma (Del) 11-7, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9.

Women’s Singles 60+: Final: Mantu Murmu (WB) bt Rubi Kaur (MP) 11-4, 11-9, 11-4.

Semifinals: Mantu Murmu bt Avinash Kaur (Guj) 11-7, 11-7, 11-5; Rubi Kaur bt Rashmi Soni (MP) 14-12, 11-9, 11-6.