The Hindu : Sport : Sharath gets it right, regains title

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Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007
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Sport

Sharath gets it right, regains title

Rakesh Rao

PROUD CHAMPIONS: A. Sharath Kamal and Mouma Das, winners of the men's and women's singles titles in the National table tennis championship on Tuesday. — Photo: Sandeep Saxena

AJMER: Sharath Kamal almost beat himself on way to regaining the men's singles crown won in 2004. Whether it was Ranbir Das in the semifinals or the defending champion Subhajit Saha in the title-match, Sharath almost buckled under the pressure of expectations, including his own before coming out the strongest in the AAI-National table tennis championship at the Patel Stadium here on Tuesday.

Looking far from invincible, the world number 86 still managed to avenge the loss suffered in the last year's final to Saha. Sharath's victory earned him Rs. 1.40 lakh, highest ever for a National champion. Saha settled for Rs. 70,000.

The 7-11, 11-9, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8 triumph in 37 minutes saw Sharath overcome a slow start, hit top gear from 5-9 in the second game, hit an unbelievable low by losing 12 points from 6-1 in the fifth game and finally set the record straight by winning six of the final seven points. Sharath had blanked Saha 4-0 in their last meeting in New Delhi in February.

Comfortable lead

Against doubles' partner Ranbir, the man he beat to win his only previous National title at Manesar, Sharath tossed away a comfortable 8-4 lead in the sixth game to trail 3-7 in the decider. When Sharath finally won 11-5, 4-11, 11-4, 11-6, 13-15, 8-11, 11-9, he threw his racquet towards his brother Rajath and invited a yellow card for misconduct. Considering Sharath's rising status in the game, his manner of giving vent to his frustration was criticised by officials and former players alike.

Later Sharath admitted his mistake and said, "I was so angry with myself that I felt like breaking my racquet. First I thought of throwing it down, then on the table and finally flung it to my brother. I fully understand, I was wrong." On his below par show for the better part of the competition, a candid Sharath said, "This has been a kind of funny tournament for me. I have been fighting with myself. It was a case of my mind saying something and the body doing another thing. I guess, there were times when I was overconfident or got carried away."

Bouncing back

In the ladies final, third seed and defending champion Mouma Das bounced back brilliantly from two games down to stop her childhood friend and old rival Poulomi Ghatak in a match that went the distance in 51 minutes.

The 14-16, 4-11, 11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 13-11, 11-6 triumph not only gave Mouma her fourth National crown in eight final appearances but also a never-before winner's share of Rs. 90,000. The top seeded Poulomi, who lost for the first time in five final appearances, received Rs. 45,000. Mouma's first triumph over Poulomi in a National final also made her a four-time champion.

"After the semifinals (against Soumi Mondal) this morning, I discovered that I needed to replace both my rubbers. As a result, it took me two games to settle down against Poulomi. To win, I knew I had to attack before she did.

"Since she attacks all the time, I had to come up with good defence. But I know I have to improve my serve and attack if I have to do well overseas," said the diminutive 22-year-old, who let tears of joy flow on winning the title.

The results: Men: final: A. Sharath Kamal (Pet) bt Subhajit Saha (Pet) 7-11, 11-9, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8. Semifinals: Sharath bt Ranbir Das (Pet) 11-5, 4-11, 11-4, 11-6, 13-15, 8-11, 11-9; Saha bt Anirban Nandi (Rlys) 11-5, 13-11, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5.

Women: final: Mouma Das (Pet) bt Poulomi Ghatak (Pet) 14-16, 4-11, 11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 13-11, 11-6. Semifinals: Poulomi bt Vishakha Bijoy (Raj) 11-9, 12-10, 13-11, 8-11, 11-7; Mouma bt Soumi Mondal (Rlys) 11-8, 11-7, 11-7, 11-2.

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