The Hindu : Sport : Anwesha claims title

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 26, 2005

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Anwesha claims title

Sports Reporter

— Photo: K. Pichumani

PROUD CHAMPIONS: Harinderpal Singh (left) and Surbi Misra, the under-17 winners.

CHENNAI: "Our hearts were pounding," remarked one of Anwesha Reddy's friends after her remarkable come-from-behind victory over the top-seed Dipika Pallikal in the girls' under-19 final of the junior National squash championship at the Lady Willingdon College here on Tuesday.

In an all-Tamil Nadu affair, Anwesha staged a remarkable recovery to script a 3-9, 6-9, 9-7, 9-0, 9-7 to bag her maiden under-19 title. Anwesha had claimed the under-17 title in the last Nationals at Ajmer.

All style and substance

Dipika was all style and substance in the first two games making Anwesha run all over the court with effective forehand shots and some wonderful drop shots that kept kissing the tin. Moving poorly till then, Anwesha coughed up stamina and spirit as she began to retrieve better and even going on to hit several telling forehand winners.

Slowly, Anwesha did what Pallikal to her in the first two games; deceive her with drop shots. In a neck-and neck third game, a backhand from Dipika touching the tin gave Anwesha the lifeline.

She was a completely different player from thereon. Confidence oozed in most of Anwesha's shots as she ran away to a 7-0 lead to pocket the fourth at love. Dipika fought back to level 5-5 after being 1-5 down in the decider. Up 7-6, a `stroke' was awarded to Anwesha, who followed it up with a fine drop shot. Anwesha finished the 62-minute contest when a Dipika's forehand crashed into the tin.

Fine talent

Harinderpal Singh of Tamil Nadu, a TNSRA trainee is a talent to be looked forward to in the future. More than his game, the 16-year-old's composure during tough situations is has been a big factor. Harinderpal demonstrated his potential in ample measure to defeat a bigger built Vikram Malhotra of Maharashtra in three straight games in the boys' under-17summit clash.

The results (finals):

Girls u-19: Anwesha Reddy (TN) bt Dipika Pallikal (TN) 3-9, 6-9, 9-7, 9-0, 9-7.

Boys u-17: Harinderpal Singh (TN) bt Vikram Malhotra (Mah) 9-2, 10-8, 9-2.

Girls u-17: Surbi Misra (Raj) bt Shivangi Paranjape (Mah) 9-4, 9-1, 9-4.

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