Top seed Anshukumar Bhuyan (Odisha) eased past an exhausted Irfan Husain (Tamil Nadu) 6-3, 6-1 in the final of the Proserve AITA 50k National-ranking tennis tournament at the Perks Tennis Centre here on Friday.
Bhuyan anticipated a tough duel and came well prepared, but it turned out to be a drab contest as the Tamil Nadu youngster looked visibly drained. The four-hour semifinal battle against Sivadeep of Andhra Pradesh the other day probably had taken a toll on him. But Irfan valiantly tried to stay in the contest dragging his tired legs from one end of the court to the other.
The top seed cashed in on the chance and broke Irfan, the second seed, in the very first game. He did not do anything spectacular after that. He kept the ball in play and hit winners time and again to take a 4-1 lead. Just when the tide seemed to be turnning Bhuyan’s way, Irfan pulled one back in the sixth to indicate that he had not given up.
ADVERTISEMENT
But, before any damage could be done, Bhuyan played a tight game to clinch the set 6-3. Irfan opened the second set with a break in the very first game but failed to seize the advantage and went down tamely 6-1. Bhuyan then paired with Avilash Mishra to defeat Irfan & Ihsan Husain 6-1, 6-4 for the doubles crown.
The result (finals): Singles : Anshukumar Bhuyan (Odisha) bt Irfan Husain (Tamil Nadu) 6-3, 6-1. Doubles : Anshukumar Bhuyan & Avilash Mishra bt Irfan Husain & Ihsan Husain 6-1, 6-4.