It’s Natasha vs Mahak in summit clash

Goa girl Natasha Palha dumped top seed Zeel Desai out of the Feneta Open National Tennis Championship semi- finals here on Friday. Nastaha won 4- 6, 6- 4, 6- 0 to set up a summit clash with second seed Mahak Jain.

This is the second time Zeel has tripped in the Nationals semis, though full credit should go to Natasha. At 24, the Goa girl has experience in her bag and used it to the hilt on the hard courts at the DLTA complex.

“I have played against Zeel twice before and lost so I didn’t really expect this result. I am relieved and happy I got through the final and looking forward to it,” said the former national grasscourt champion.

In the second semi- final, Mahak carved out a hardfought 7- 6 ( 9/ 7), 4- 6, 6- 3 win over multiple champion Prerna Bhambri of Delhi.

The men’s singles final will be contested between top seed Arjun Kadhe and Siddharth Vishwakarma, seeded sixth.

Kadhe had been touted as the pre- tournament favourite but had to dig deep to beat third seed Siddharth Rawat 2- 6, 7- 6, 6- 2 in the last 4 encounter.

“I feel good, got the job done. I wouldn’t say it was my best tennis. What matters is you get to win and at the end you fight and try to survive another day. I served well and have to play better to beat him tomorrow,” said Kadhe.

In the under- 18 boys, Siddhanth Banthia and Calvin Golmei reached the final. Siddhanth beat Madhwin Kamath 6- 3, 6- 2 while Calvin overcame Drona Walia 6- 3, 7- 6 ( 7/ 4).

“I am looking forward to winning my first Fenesta singles titles after being unlucky twice in the past,” said Siddhanth.