Fifth-seeded Tommy Sugiarto defeated an exhausted Stanislav Pukhov, seeded sixth, in a semifinal match at the Tata Open International Challenge 2010. The Indonesian won 22-20, 21-14 for a crack at the title.
P.C. Thulasi displayed better agility and endurance to send out former National women's champion Sayali Gokhale in an all-Indian semifinal, winning 21-6, 21-14 at the Cricket Club of India courts.
Pukhov surged to a 7-2 lead in the first game and appeared to have all the answers against Sugiarto. Smooth court coverage saw the experienced Russian keeping the younger Indonesian pinned to the backcourt. Three leaping overhead smashes to clinch a point at 12-8 showcased his confidence, before the fifth seed crept up to draw level at 15-15.
Deft placements
Sugiarto continued his onward march, cashing in on repeated mistakes from Pukhov whose forehand drops fell short, till 20-20 before wrapping up the first game. The Russian netted a forehand drop on gamepoint, among the many to follow. The second game saw the Indonesian in full cry, leaving his tiring rival rattled with a mix of deft placements and aggressive shots. Trailing 6-21, Pukhov exploded into anger at a line call, was reprimanded by the chair umpire before composing himself to continue.
He continued to make unforced errors, at 6-12 served long and at 10-14 netted a serve to hand his opponent the initiative. Sugiarto kept a straight face and smashed his way to victory.
Thulasi overpowered Sayali in 30 minutes to book a place in the final. Faster on court and more agile in retrieving, she kept up the pressure in both games. Sayali attempted to turn the tide by varying the length of her returns, but could not accumulate enough points to curb Thulasi's exuberance or dent her confidence.
The results: Men: Semifinal: 5-Tommy Sugiarto (Ina) bt 6-Stanislav Pukhov (Rus) 22-20, 21-14.
Women: Semifinal: P.C. Thulasi (Ind) bt Sayali Gokhale (Ind) 21-6, 21-14.
Mixed doubles: Semifinals: 1-Patipat Chalardchaleum & Savitree Amitapal (Tha) bt 4-Pranav Chopra & Prajakta Sawant (Ind) 21-13, 21-12; Arun Vishnu & Aparna Balan (Ind) bt Nipitphon Puangpuapech & Somsri Nessara (Tha) 23-21, 21-17.
Men: Doubles: Quarterfinals: Joko Riyoko & Ukikasah Yoga (Ina) bt Patipat Chalardchaleum & Nipitphon Puangpuapech (Tha) 16-21, 21-11, 21-14; Pranav Chopra & Tarun Kona (Ind) bt Bishal Pradhan & Indra Mehata (Nep) 21-7, 21-13; Akshay Dewalkar & Arun Vishnu (Ind) bt Mayank Behal & Tanvir Gill (Ind) 21-14, 21-10.
Women: Doubles: Quarterfinals: Nitya Sosale & Shruti Kurian (Ind) bt Jui Agaskar & Parssa Naqvi (Ind) 21-18, 21-13; Nitchaon Jindapol & Pattharaporn Jindapol (Tha) bt Aparna Balan & Prajakta Sawant (Ind) 23-21, 21-13; Abantika Deka & Sampada Sahastrabudhe (Ind) w/o Pradyna Gadre & Jyotshna Polavarapu (Ind).
