The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Isha Lakhani storms into final

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Isha Lakhani storms into final

Special Correspondent

TENNIS / Miyamura-Yu pair triumphs

— Photo: S. Mahinsha

CHAMPION DUO: Miki Miyamura (Japan) and Min-Hwa Yu (Korea) who clinched the doubles title.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Top-seeded Isha Lakhani proved too good for third-seeded Sanaa Bhambri as she pounded the latter 6-2, 6-0 and stormed into the singles final of the BSNL –Kerala Open international women’s tournament at the TTC courts here on Friday.

In the final slated for Saturday, the Mumbai player will meet sixth-seeded Miki Miyamura (Japan) who in the other semifinal prevailed over her doubles partner Min-Hwa Yu (South Korea) after a protracted battle at 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. Miyamura had further reason to cheer as she and Yu, later, won the doubles title disposing of the challenge of Poojashree Venkatesha and her Georgian partner Magda Okruashvili 7-6 (6), 6-2.

One-sided affair

Indeed, much was expected from the semifinal action between Isha and Sanaa, both left-handed players.

But in the end it was such a one-sided affair as Sanaa was nowhere in the picture at any time of the 57-minute encounter once Isha had moved to top gear after the initial four games had gone with the serve.

“Everything worked out as I had planned and I am happy to have reached the final,” Isha said.

The second semifinal between Miyamura and Yu, seeded sixth and seventh respectively, saw a bit more of action as fortunes fluctuated sharply and before the Tokyo-based player sailed through to the title round.

The doubles’ final too saw little action as Miyamura and Yu came up with a supremely confident display against their rivals.

Miyamura and Yu shared the winning purse of $637.00 while Venkatesha and Okruashvili splitted the runners-up prize-money of $343.00.

The KSSC president, T.P. Dasan, gave away the trophies to the rival doubles pairs.

The results: Singles (Semifinals): Isha Lakhani (Ind) bt Sanaa Bhambri (Ind) 6-2, 6-0; Miki Miyamura (Jpn) bt Min-Hwa Yu (Kor) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.

Doubles (final): Miki Miyamura (Jpn)/Min-Hwa Yu (Kor) bt Poojashree Venkatesha/Magda Okruashvili (Geo) 7-6(6), 6-2.

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