Double delight for Saina

Jan 08: Top seed Anup Sridhar got the better off seventh seed J.B.S Vidyadhar 21-16, 21-14, while Hyderabadi lass Saina Nehwal had an overwhelmed victory over unseeded Sayali Gokhale of Maharashtra 21-10, 21-14 to clinch the title of All-India Pramod Mahajan memorial badminton tournament played at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here on Sunday.

Anup Sridhar displayed a high quality game in front of the capacity crowd including Chief guest former President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Sridhar recovered from a slow start and a 6-11 deficit in the first game to outplay the brilliant Vidyadhar 21-16, 21-14.

Saina had a great day out as she also captured the doubles crown in the women's section with an elan. Saina combined with Aparna Balan to take the doubles title against Anita Ohlan and Dhanya Nair.

She added Rs.25,000 as her share to the prize collection. Earlier, Saina asserted her supremacy with a 21-10, 21-14 victory over Sayali Gokhale in the singles final. The victory fetched her a purse of Rs.1,10,000, richest domestic tournament in the country.

In the men's doubles final, the top seeded pair of Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas had to fight it out and rallied from a game behind to beat Akshaye Dewalkar and V. Diju 16-21, 21-19, 21-14.

Saina started on a sedate note but soon overcame a 1-3 deficit with her deft touch that helped her race to a 10-4 lead. Sayali tried her hard to make a fight out of it but she was far too erratic.

Sayali came closer to the top seed till 10-10 in the second game, but Saina came up with some fine dropped shots to take the match away from Sayali.

Former President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam awarded the prizes to the winners and runners-up.

RESULTS

Men: Singles: Anup Sridhar bt J. B. S. Vidyadhar 21-16, 21-14. Doubles: Sanave Thomas & Rupesh Kumar bt V. Diju & Akshaye Dewalkar 16-21, 21-19, 21-14.

Women: Saina Nehwal bt Sayali Gokhale 21-10, 21-14. Doubles: Saina & Aparna Balan bt Anita Ohlan & Dhanya Nair 21-10, 21-18.