Delhi retain All India Inter University Tennis Title

Manipal, December 19: Holders Delhi University had to fight a long drawn battle against Gujarat to retain the All-India Inter-university Men's Tennis title at the Manipal University, Sports Complex, Marena, here. After the marathon tie versus Jain University in the semi-final yesterday, the Delhi lads had a similar experience against Gujarat Monday.

Making its debut in the inter-university tennis, Jain University finished third in the play-off with Osmania winning 3-0. Today was the ninth consecutive day of action for their players. They started from the first round of the South Zone tournament and won the title. Then in continuation, they played the inter-zone to emerge the third best university team in men's tennis.

The final was as gripping as was the semifinal between Delhi and Jain University. It went the full length and took all of nine hours for Delhi to emerge winners.

Delhi won the first and second singles and Gujarat the doubles and first reverse singles leaving it to the last match between Siddharth Rawat and Sameep Mehata to decide the winner. The Delhi lad played exceedingly well to ensure his team kept the title. He won the decider 6-3, 6-4.

Siddharth began the day for Delhi with a superb win against VAidik Munshaw. After a rather easy first set win, 6-4, he lapsed into errors and lost the second winning just one game. Beginning of third set, he continued his errant ways. But after being 0-4 down, he was a transformed player.

He stopped Vaidik in his tracks and drew level at 4-all. His determination and all court play upset the rhythm of the Gujarat lad, who then could not match his opponent stroke for stroke. Siddharth allowed Vaidik only one more game before wrapping up the match. The decider in comparison was easier for Siddharth.

State Bank of India Regional Manager, Mr Raghuram Shetty and Dr H. S Ballal, Pro Chancellor Manipal University gave away the prizes.

RESULTS

Final

Delhi University leading Gujarat University 2-1

Siddharth Rawat bt Vaidik Munshaw 6-4,1-6,7-5

Rubal Shandilya bt Sameep Mehata 6-1,6-4

Vaidik/Sameep bt Rubal/Siddharth 6-3,6-2

Vaidik beat Rubal 6-3, 7-5

Siddharth beat Sameep Mehata 6-3, 6-4

Play-off for third and fourth places

Jain University beat Osmania University 3-0

Kiran Nandakumar bt Pradeep Deswal 6-2,6-1

Vinod Gowda bt Pradeep Reddy 6-2,6-2

Sagar/Vasanth bt Ajith/Shravan 6-0,6-0