— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

CHAMPIONS: Aparna Popat and Anup Sridhar retained the singles titles in the senior National badminton championships in Bangalore on Wednesday.

BANGALORE: Aparna Popat kept her date with the destiny.

The 27-year old Petroleum star claimed a record ninth successive National women's singles title, with an emphatic 13-11,11-3 victory over arch-rival Saina Nehwal in the Canara Bank senior National badminton championship that concluded at the Karnataka Badminton Associaton courts here on Wednesday.

Prakash Padukone, the only other player to win nine successive titles (1971-79) was quick praise her feat. "It was a performance and very tough act to follow'' said Padukone.

Aparna's mentor, Ganguly Prasad, struggled for words as he hugged his ward after her historic triumph. "Only she could have beaten herself. This was a special one", said Prasad.

Aparna was quick to announce her next target. "Title No.10 wouldn't be bad", she said, breaking into a delighted grin.

Anup Sridhar retained the men's singles with a 15-12, 15-4 victory over sparring partner and PSPB team-mate Arvind Bhat. Incidentally, it was for the first time that two players from Bangalore had contested for the men's honours.

Given her rather laboured run in the tournament, Aparna was expected to face stiff challenge from her brash and young rival, who had vowed to avenge her defeat in the last National final at Jamshedpur.

Steely determination

But the prospect of a tough final only strengthened Aparna's resolve to go for a record win. That she did with a steely determination and a good game plan speaks volumes about the champion quality in her.

Aparna's main problem in the tournament had been her inability to control her shots; with shuttles being on the faster side, she had often misjudged the pace though her approach to strokes were technically right.

She did commit quite a few unforced errors in the process and the final was no exception. She looked tentative at the beginning of the 40 minute contest and despite a 5-2 advantage, she conceded ground, allowing Saina to jump to a 10-8 lead. Aparna cut the deficit with a drop (9-10) and levelled with neat push.

A keen battle then ensured on the extra points as a determined Saina kept pace with Aparna at 11-12 with a smash. Though the serve changed hands, she swiped a return out and the game was all Aparna's as Saina did an encore by driving out another return.

In the second game, Saina was clearly on the back foot after a level-run till 3-all. Aparna opened a big lead with an array of winning strokes — delicate drops, searing flicks and accurate smashes. The adversaries sparred with net dribbles and invariably Aparna came out on top. Saina netted to lurch on the brink at 3-10 and later drove a backhand over the sidelines to drop the game and match.

Great future

The youngster, who is hardly 16 years old, need not be disappointed with her show. She surely has promise to be great future champion and a sportive Aparna acknowledged that fact. "She has a good future and I wish her all the luck", said the champion.

Eleven National finals and nine titles. Is there anything more to achieve? Leaving aside her remark about the tenth title, Aparna has almost nothing at stake on the home front. "I haven't played much on the international circuit this season. I would like get back into action there and stand to be counted", said the Indian ace.

Another loss in final

Luck eluded Arvind Bhat for the third time in the senior National finals. He had hoped for a change in fortunes on the home courts where he trains along with Anup Sridhar at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy.

But the 50-minute contest, which was engrossing in patches, went Anup's way and deservingly so for the 22-year-old played a consistent all court game.

He came back charging in the first game after trailing 2-6 with an attacking display and led 13-9 before Bhat engaged in series of rallies to win a few bonus points and cut the deficit to 11-12.

But Anup was not to be denied. He forced Arvind to play a few mishits and closed the game with superb smash (15-12).

Bhat seemed to lose motivation after that reverse and nothing went right for him in the second game as he kept making unforced errors, while Anup kept piling up points to wrap up the game and match at 15-4.

"It was wonderful to win at home and I cherish this victory", said an elated Anup Sridhar.

Lease extended

Rupesh Kumar (PSPB) and Sanave Thomas (Kerala) extended their lease on the men's doubles title beating the Petroleum pairing of Jaseel P. Ismail and V. Diju 15-10, 15-12.

Jwala Gutta and Diju won the mixed doubles crown.

The Chief Minister of Karnataka, N. Dharam Singh presided and gave away the prizes.

The results (all finals):

Men's singles: Anup Sridhar (PSPB) bt Arvind Bhat (PSPB) 15-12, 15-4.

Men's doubles: Sanave Thomas (Ker) & Rupesh Kumar (PSPB) bt Jaseel P. Ismail & V. Diju (PSPB) 15-10,15-12.

Women's singles: Aparna Popat (PSPB) bt Saina Nehwal (PSPB) 13-11, 11-3.

Mixed doubles: Diju & Jwala Gutta (PSPB) bt Jaseel & Aparna Balan (Ker) 15-7, 15-13.

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