Top-seeded Kennosuke Nouchi of Japan recovered from a dip in fortunes in the second set to record a 6-1, 7-6(1) victory over the fifth-seeded Vidit Vaghela in the boys’ final of the ITF grade-4 junior tennis tournament at the DLTA Complex here on Saturday.
The 16-year-old Japanese bounced back from 2-5 in the second set to retain his record of not having dropped a set in the whole tournament.
The 17-year-old Vidit had the big game but was timid and erratic at the start. He was troubled by a twisted ankle but played with considerable energy to race to a 5-2 lead in the second set.
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In fact, Vidit, who had not reached the quarterfinals the whole season, held two set-points on serve in the eighth game. He was unable to serve out the match even when he gave himself another chance in the twelfth game.
In the girls’ final, Vasanti Shinde recovered from a slow start against Vanshika Sawhney who had pulled through against tricky opponents in a string of three-setters.
The 16-year-old Vasanti wrested the initiative by jumping to a 4-0 lead in the second set. She led 4-1 in the decider as well before cruising home.
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The results (finals) : Boys : Kennosuke Nouchi (Jpn) bt Vidit Vaghela 6-1, 7-6(1).
Girls : Vasanti Shinde bt Vanshika Sawhney 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.