Shounak, Ibrahim score upsets to enter semis

MUSCAT: Shounak Kelkar stunned men’s second seed Mahmood Samy and Ibrahim El Hefny shocked third Adhyatm Sharma to enter the semifinals of the men’s singles at the ISC/AL Tasnim Enterprises Open Table Tennis Tournament organised by the Indian Social Club Oman.

In the quarterfinals of the men’s singles, random seed left-hander Shounak dominated the match from start to finish. Samy, who had a lucky escape in the previous round, was put under pressure by Shounak’s brilliant all-round game. Shounak did not give Samy any liberties and went on to win a place in the last four with an impressive 11-6, 11-7, 11-4 verdict.

Unseeded Ibrahim El Hefny, who shocked veteran Nitin Vaidya in the opening round, continued his giant-killing run, this time scalping third-seed teenager Adhyatm Sharma in the quarterfinals. Young Adhyatm was out of sorts against the experienced Ibrahim and lost the first set. In the second set, Adhyatm put up some resistance but could not stop Ibrahim. Nerves showed on Adhyatm who tried his best before Ibrahim put the issue beyond his reach to win 11-4, 12-10, 11-9.

Top seeded Indonesian teenager Kiko Wiryawan entered the semifinals of the men’s singles after overwhelming Spaniard George Lopez 11-8, 16, 11-7 to line-up a semifinal against teenager Viren Kundnani who ousted Omani player Fahad al Abri 11-5, 17, 11-9.

Top-seed Adhyatm advanced to the final in the boys under-14 singles after a 11-7, 11-3, 11-3 win over Seban Prasad in the semifinal. In the final, Adhyatm will take on third seed Mayank Mehta who overcame Omani player Turki al Abri 11-7, 13, 7-11, 11-9.