Manav, Manika shine, bag top honours

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, July 10

Manav Thakkar of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) won the men's and boys' youth titles, while Manika Batra retained the women's title on the concluding day of the National Ranking (North Zone) Table Tennis Championships at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Sector 3.

In the men's final, Thakkar faced an in-form SFR Snehit from Telangana. Thakkar won the first two games 11-9 11-8 but Snehit came back with 4-11 7-11. Thakkar kept his calm to win the next two games 11-6 11-4 and win the title.

In the semifinals, Snehit defeated Arjun Ghosh from West Bengal 6-11 9-11 11-6 11-13 11-5 11-6 11-8, while Thakkar overpowered Sanil Shetty 11-4 13-15 11-9 7-11 11-6 11-9.

"I was under pressure because Snehit was responding well. I got my rhythm back in the fourth game," said Manav. He received Rs 70,000 as prize money, while Snehit pocketed Rs 35,000.  

In the boys' youth final, Thakkar outclassed Ronit Bhanja from West Bengal. Thakkar logged 11-7 11-3 11-3 9-11 11-6 win over Bhanja to claim his second title. 

In the semifinals, Thakkar defeated Anirban Ghosh from RSPB 4-11 11-7 11-0 11-7 11-8, while Bhanja overcame Jeet Chandra from Haryana 8-11 12-10 11-6 1-11 11-7 11-7.

Manika beats Krittwika, bags title 

Second seed Manika Batra beat Krittwika Sinha Roy (11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-6, 8-11, 14-12) from West Bengal in the final of the women's category. Krittwika had three match points but failed to grab the opportunity.  She sent the ball out at 14-12 on her second match point, which gave Manika an opportunity to come back. Krittwika saved one after Manika had a slight advantage at 11-10 with her serve on, but again failed to convert the third one. 

In the semifinals, Krittiwika defeated Archana Kamath 11-6 8-11 5-11 11-9 11-7 14-12 and Manika defeated Madhurika Patkar 11-7 11-9 11-9 8-11 11-9.

Manika, who left off last season with a title win in the North Zone at Greater Noida, received Rs 60,000, while Krittwika bagged Rs 30,000.

Akula Sreeja win girls' youth title  

Akula Sreeja of RBI defeated Selenadeepthi Selvakumar from Tamil Nadu 13-15 11-5 12-10 11-9 9-11 12-10 to win the girls' youth title. Earlier, Selenadeepthi defeated Shruti Amrute from Maharashtra 11-7 11-8 11-9 11-7, while Akula defeated Archana Kamath 4-11 13-11 13-11 11-4 8-11 11-6.

RESULTS

Men: Final: Manav Thakkar (PSPB) bt SFR Snehit (TELG) 11-9, 11-8, 4-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4; Semi-finals: SFR Snehit bt Arjun Ghosh (WB) 6-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-5, 11-6, 11-8; Manav Thakkar bt Sanil Shetty (PSPB) 11-4, 13-15, 11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9.

Women: Final: Manika Batra (PSPB) bt Krittwika Sinha Roy (WB) 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-6, 8-11, 14-12; Semi-finals: Krittiwika Sinha Roy bt Archana Kamath (PSPB) 11-6, 8-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-7, 14-12; Manika Batra bt Madhurika Patkar (PSPB) 11-7, 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9.

Youth Boys: Final: Manav Thakkar (PSPB) bt Ronit Bhanja (WB) 11-7, 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 11-6; Semi-finals: Manav Thakkar bt Anirban Ghosh (RSPB) 4-11, 11-7, 11-0, 11-7, 11-8; Ronit Bhanja bt Jeet Chandra (Har) 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 1-11, 11-7, 11-7;

Youth Girls: Final: Akula Sreeja (RBI) bt Selenadeepthi Selvakumar (TN) 13-15, 11-5, 12-10, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10