Surat successfully defended Junior Girls crown and snatched Women’s title from Ahmedabad.Manush was instrumental in Baroda to a 3-1 win over Bhavnagar in the Men’s event final. And an hour later he returned as Baroda beat Ahmedabad Junior Boys by the same margin in the best-of-the-five matches format.
Defending champions Bhavnagar started favourite in the Men’s final against Baroda. However, bolstered by Manush’s presence, Baroda went on rampage. Jalay Mehta gave Baroda a winning start with a win over Kaushal Bhatt.Manush faced seasoned Jignesh Jayswal in the second rubber. The Baroda southpaw, Manush with his some high class topspin and backhand banana flicks had Jayswal on backfoot. Manush dropped 15 points in three games as he overcame Jayswal 11-6 11-7 11-2 to make it 2-0. Baroda’s Vidit Desai lost the third singles against Karanpal Jadeja to force reverse singles.
In the first reverse singles, Manush faced Kaushal Bhatt. Manush needed less than 15 minutes to tame Bhavnagar’s last season hero Kaushal Bhatt 11-6 11-7 11-6. “Manush beating Jigabhai (Jayswal) was very crucial. Very much a turning point of the rubber. Manush was very strong. His strokes, especially backhand banana flicks and movements across the table were fast as compared to Jigabhai. Later against Kaushal, it was an easy outing for Manush. It won’t be an exaggeration to say, Manush gave Kaushal no room to play,” said Jalay Mehta, captain of Baroda’s team.
An hour later, Manush led Baroda to yet another top-of-the-podium finish when they met Ahmedabad in the finals of the Junior Boys section.They overcame Ahmedabad 3-1 but not before local lad Chitrax Bhatt gave a few anxious moments to Manush and Baroda camp with his never say die attitude. Easily, the match of the tournament both the teenagers’ displayed their table tennis skills. If Manush demonstrated his forehand attack and services, Chitrax was at his best while backhand blocking.
“Chitrax really played well. He had a few lucky points against Manush but he deserves applauds for his game today. Manush was as usual, played attacking game. However, the turning point was doubles win for us. Pratham and Manush combined well to beat Chitrax and Dhairya,” added Jalay.
Meanwhile, Surat swept the girls section, winning Women’s and Junior Girls trophies.
After superlative performance previous evening, Bhavnagar Women looked ordinary against Surat. Divya Gohil lost her both matches, including against Filzahfatema Kadri. In the fourth game, Filzah was lucky on three occasions, when the return touched the net giving Divya no time to react. Filzah tamed Divya 11-7 11-6 3-11 11-7. Frenaz Chipia won her both singles and reverse singles matches. Frenaz first beat Namna Jayswal 11-4 9-11 11-9 11-3 and then Divya in reverse singles 5-11 11-8 11-8 11-7.
“Filzah really played well against Divya didi. That was important match. Her win ensured there was less pressure on me. Though, Aafrien lost against Prarthna but we had 2-1 advantage while going into reverse singles,” said Frenaz, after Surat’s 3-1 triumph in the best-of-five matches contest.
Talking of her match against Divya, Frenaz said, “There was a patch when I gave negative points. Wasn’t able to finish it, missing easy balls. However, from second game onwards I changed strategy and ball on table. Kept it simple without going for any extraordinary shots. Gradually, I regained the momentum. I was able to hit a few backhand top-spin and backhand service, which she found tough to handle.”
Later, Surat Junior Girls led by Filzah outplayed Ahmedabad 3-1.
Gujarat State Table Tennis Association president Shri Vipul Mittra, IAS, and Shri Pradeep Chona, director Havmor gave away the prizes to the winners. Also present at the awards function was GSTTA secretary Shri Haresh Sangtani.
Results
WOMEN’S: Surat beat Ahmedabad 3-1
Frenaz Chipia beat Namna Jayswal 11-4 9-11 11-9 11-3
Filzahfatema Kadri beat Divya Gohil 11-7 11-6 3-11 11-7
Aafrien Murad lost to Prarthna Parmar 6-11 11- 6-11 11-7 10-12
Frenaz Chipia beat Divya Gohil 5-11 11-8 11-8 11-7
MEN’S: Baroda beat Bhavnagar 3-1
Jalay Mehta beat Kaushal Bhatt 11-5 5-11 11-5 11-3
Manush Shah beat Jignesh Jayswal 11-6 11-7 11-2
Vidit Desai lost to Karanpal Jadeja 11-8 10-12 11-7 8-11 10-12
Manush Shah beat Kaushal Bhatt 11-6 11-7 11-6
JUNIOR BOYS: Baroda beat Ahmedabad 3-1
Pratham Madlani lost to Chitrax Bhatt 11-8 6-11 9-11 5-11
Manush Shah beat Dhairya Parmar 11-8 11-5 11-4
Manush / Pratham beat Chitrax / Dhairya 11-7 11-9 11-5
Manush Shah beat Chitrax Bhatt 11-5 9-11 12-10 9-11 11-8
JUNIOR GIRLS: Surat beat Ahmedabad 3-2
Filzahfatema Kadri beat Yashi Shah 11-2 13-11 11-9
Sanskruti Malpani beat Kausha Bhairapure 12-10 3-11 12-10 11-9
Filzah / Sanskruti lost to Kausha / Yashwi 7-11 11-9 3-11 5-11
Filzahfatema Kadri lost to Kausha Bhairapure 9-11 4-11 9-11
Sanskruti Malpani beat Yashwi Shah 11-9 11-6 11-8
In attached photo
1. Junior champ manager Murad… Filzahfatema Kadri Aafrien Murad and Sanskruti Malpani
