Rastogi, Gajjar in summit clash

CHENNAI, SEPT. 21. Rohan Gajjar and Karan Rastogi kept the Indian flag flying with inspired performances and set up a title clash in the ITF junior (under-18) tennis tournament at the SDAT Nungambakkam Stadium.

In the semifinals today, top seed Rohan Gajjar survived the big serves of Dominic Stoeckler of Switzerland to win 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in exactly two hours, while Karan Rastogi cashed in on the unforced errors of Thailand's Dalodum Anuwat, the second seed, to emerge triumphant at 7-5, 6-3.

Gajjar, who won the title last year in Mumbai, took the first set after a brief struggle in the first few games. Firing big serves and moving well, Stoeckler outplayed Gajjar to take the second with the loss of just two games.

But the Mumbai lad, who trains at the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association, hit back and ran up a 3-0 lead, breaking the Swiss player in the second game of the decider.

Urged by coach Jan Stoces from the stands, Stoeckler levelled at 4-4.

It was at this point that Gajjar played his best tennis, breaking Stoeckler's serve in the 10th game.

Hitting the ball deep, he forced the Swiss player into errors and a backhand down-the-line gave Gajjar the match.

In the other semifinal, Anuwat was at his blistering best and raced to a 5-2 lead in the first set. But Anuwat's strength - the forehand - began to fail him and he started making numerous unforced errors. Anuwat was broken in the eighth, 10th and 12th games as he went on to lose the first set.

Rastogi, the 15-year-old Mumbai lad who trains at Pract Tennis in Mumbai, gained in confidence in the second as he essayed some impressive passing shots and winners to finish the match without ado.

Rastogi would have to shake off the loser tag against Gajjar, who he has never beaten, if he has to clinch his maiden ITF title.

In the girls' section semifinals, third-seeded Dandeniya Rebecca of Great Britain put an end to top seed Megha Vakharia's hopes and won 6-4, 6-0 in an hour and 25 minutes. Megha did well to come back after being 1-5 down to take three games on the trot, but Dandeniya's serves and stronger groundstrokes prevailed as the second set turned into a whitewash.

The 17-year-old Dandeniya, whose parents are Sri Lankans, said this was her toughest match in the tournament.

Isha in line for double

Isha Lakhani dismantled Pichaiyah Laosirichon of Thailand 6-2, 6- 0 to earn a clash with Dandeniya. Lakhani has been very impressive in her shot-making ability and will be the girl to beat.

Isha, in partnership with Megha Vakharia, clinched the girls' doubles crown by surprising the top-seeded Indonesian duo of Diana Julianto and Maya Rosa at 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-4.

The results (Indians unless otherwise specified):

Boys (semifinals): 3-Karan Rastogi bt 2-Dalodum Anuwat (Tha) 7-5, 6-3; 1-Rohan Gajjar bt 16-Dominic Stoeckler (Swi) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Girls (semifinals): 3-Dandeniya Rebecca (GBR) bt 1-Megha Vakharia 6-4, 6-0; 11-Isha Lakhani bt 2- Pichaiyah Laosirichon (Tha) 6-2, 6-0.

Boys doubles (final): 3-Jaco T. Mathew- Somdev K. Dev Varman bt 7-Al Imron-Immanuel Prakoso 7-6 (7-2), 7- 6 (7-1); Semifinals: Jaco T. Mathew-Somdev K. Dev Varman bt 1-Rohan Gajjar-C. Tejeshwar 6-3, 6-1; Al Imron-Immanuel Prakoso w.o. Dominic Stoeckler-Dinuka Ranaweera.

Girls (final): 3-Isha Lakhani-Megha Vakharia bt 1-Diana Julianto- Maya Rosa (Ina) 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-4.

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