Manish new champ; Mekhala 'tricks

Manish new champ; Mekhala 'tricks
K V Vasudevan

CHENNAI, JANUARY 12: At the door step of the win, he had a good look at his opponent, took a hard breath and finished off the job. That was champion thinking.

Manish Chotrani's maiden title in the men singles could not have come a day soon in the India Cements National Squash championship at Madras Race Club on Wednesday. At 29, Manish had to yield a lot of ground to the young title holder Ritwik Bhattacharya. But on a day when Manish chose to bring a rich variety of strokes, Ritwik's colours were lowered a little earlier than he may have hoped for. Manish romped home 9-4, 9-1, 9-5.

The queen of Indian squash Mekhala Subedar made it a hat-trick of titles, beating debutant finalist Deepali Anvekar 9-5, 9-2, 9-2. Mekhala got the alarm signals when Deepali opened to a 3-0 lead. Getting the early jitters only motivated her to settle down to the task. Engaging Deepali in long rallies came in as a handy mode.

Once lead changed hands, Deepali knew she was up against it. In a close contest, she had reasons to feel aggrieved to be at the rough end of referee Munir Sait's rulings. She could take it no more at the stroke of the second game, throwing her racquet and getting away with a warning.

The only time Ritwik enjoyed a slender lead was late in the third game. That speaks for the sway Manish held.

Being ready to run for anything, to keep the rallies going, gave Manish the option of slipping in those teasing, tantalising drops. On a day when the percentage of those was in the higher plane, Manish was unstoppable.

Deepali had something to cheer for taking the under-19 girls title at Vaidehi Reddy's expense, prevailing 9-7, 9-5, 9-2. Bikram Uberoi, having had a dream tournament, justifiably pocketed the Under-19 boys title taking Mihir Kapoor in his stride, 9-4, 9-0, 9-0.

Other results (all finals)

Pro: Dalip Tripathi (UP) bt Santosh More (Mah) 9-7, 9-3, 1-9, 9-5.

Over 45: Rajeev Reddy (TN) bt BI Singh (Delhi) 4-9, 9-5, 9-6, 9-2.

Over 35: RS Brar (SSCB) bt Vaman Apte (Mah) 9-1, 9-2, 9-1.