Seeded Bhavitvya survives junior Ritvik’s onslaught
Second seeded Bhavitvya Shah went through harrowing times.as he saved seven match points against junior Ritvik Nagle before he emerged a 11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 7-11, 11-2, 13-11, 17-15 winner to enter the men’s singles quarterfinals of the MCF-4 Star All Mumbai ranking tournament, hosted by Mandpeshwar Civic Federation at their sports complex at Borivali here on Saturday.
In fact, it was junior Ritvik, who called the shots for major part of the contest. He was 3-1 up before Bhavitvya fought back by claiming the fifth game to narrow the gap.
Even in the sixth game of the best of seven tie, it was Ritvik who was in control till Bhavitvyaa rallied to win it over extra points to take the tie to the wire.
Both fought hard as Ritvik serving at 8-10, made it 10-all. Thereafter Ritvik was on match point seven times ,yet it was Bhavitvya,who saved all before he heaved a sigh of relief as at 16-15, Ritvik failed to block his forehand topspinner.
Top seeded Suhas Rane, was made to fight hard by Yash Doshi before he was through with a 5-11, 11-3, 11-8, 9-11, 11-2, 11-9 and third seeded Viren Patel was stretched by Sumesh Mattu before he triumphed 4-2 and Tanmay Rane, the youth boys singles top seed , had to fight all the way before he got the better of Jay Jani 4-3.
Juniors Anannya Basak and Nimisha Warang put up excellent show while scoring over their respective rivals to make the last four in the youth girls singles.
While petite Sana D’ouza made top seed Sampada Bhiwandkar fight all the way before Sampada was through with a 14-12, 9-11,12-10, 15-14, 12-10, 16-14 win in the sub-junior girls singles.