Manav, Manika retain singles titles
Manav Thakkar of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board won the men’s singles as well as the youth boys’ title in the 11Even Sports North Zone table tennis championships in Panchkula on Tuesday.
Manika Batra overcame West Bengal’s Krittwika Sinha Roy 117, 8- 11, 11- 8, 5- 11, 11- 6, 8- 11, 14- 12 in the women’s singles final.
In men’s singles, the PSPB lad defeated S. F. R. Snehit of Telananga 11- 9, 11- 8, 4- 11, 7- 11, 116, 11- 4.
It was Thakkar’s second North Zone title after his success in 2017.
Thakkar earlier beat West Bengal’s Ronit Bhanja 11- 7, 11- 3, 11- 3, 9- 11, 11- 6 to claim the boys’ title.
In the men’s final, Thakkar was under pressure when Snehit made it 2- 2.
But the PSPB boy showed great confidence and unleashed some telling backhand shots. He also used the flanks well and responded to Snehit’s down- the- line on his backhands.
“I was under pressure because he ( Snehit) was playing his first final and responding well. It was
Manav Thakkar defeated S. F. R. Snehit in the men’s singles final while Manika Batra overcame Krittwika Sinha Roy in the women’s summit clash
for me to defend the title,” said Manav.
In the women’s final, Krittwika held three match points but squandered them as second seed Manika kept her clam to come up trumps. Manika won the North Zone title last year too.
Krittwika came up with a fine performance and matched Manika stroke for stroke, winning alternate games to take the issue to the decider.
But she failed to seize the opportunities that came her way, allowing Manika to get even and then snatch the title.
The girls’ crown went to Reserve Bank of India’s Akula Sreeja, who accounted for Tamil Nadu’s Selenadeepthi Selvakuar 13- 15, 11- 5, 12- 10, 11- 9, 9- 11, 12- 10.
After losing the opening game, Sreeja upped the pressure on her rival, producing a superb counter- attacking performance on her way to the title.
Reigning youth national champion Archana Kamath lost in the semi- final stages of both the women’s singles and girls’ categories.