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Mankad triumphs

Special Correspondent

— FILE Photo

Harsh Mankad.

CHANDIGARH: Harsh Mankad lifted the title without hitting a ball in the final as the top-seeded Rohan Bopanna conceded owing to an inflammation of his left knee, in the $10,000 ITF men’s Futures tennis tournament at the CLTA Complex here on Saturday.

“I talked to my trainer Shayamal Valabjee in the U.S. over the phone in the morning and he told me to rest the knee if there was visible inflammation.

“I have Patellar tendonitis, which is common. I wear the strap around the knee to help me play. I had aggravated it during the last match at 3-3 in the first set. With the Davis Cup so close by, it was important not to take any risk. I should be ready after rest for a couple of days. Of course, I am disappointed not to have played the final here,” said Bopanna.

Ironically, Harsh Mankad himself had been a doubtful starter for the tournament as he had been hampered by a hamstring injury.

However, the physical trainer at the DLTA, Anand Dubey, at the behest of AITA, assured Harsh that he would make him play and kept his promise, though it meant working on the Mumbai lad for two to three hours every day.

“It was amazing how Anand got it stronger and made me play so well. He deserves all the credit for what I have done this week. I thank AITA for the wild cards,” said Harsh, who ended up with a double crown, having won the doubles title earlier with Rupesh Roy.

The champion collected $1300 and 12 ATP points and the runner-up got $900 and eight ATP points.

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