Saketh Myneni won the trophy for Stag Babolat Yoddhas with suitable support from young Madhwin Kamath in an entertaining final against Tennis Fanatics on Saturday.
The strategy of Yoddhas was such that the team closed out the contest 3-1, with one match to spare.
Good start
Shrugging off the lethargy that had crept into his game as he was not fully fit, Saketh first won the crucial singles 7-6(10-3) against Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan. That was the key to the contest after Madhwin Kamath had given a good start for Yoddhas by winning his singles against Kabir Hans.
Fanatics did pull one back right away, with V.M. Ranjeet and Kabir combining well to beat the seasoned pair of Vishaal Uppal and Mayur Vasant 6-2.
Jeevan had to win against Saketh, and the doubles specialist did well to stretch Saketh to the tie-break, in which the latter was a class apart.
Serving well
Saketh served so well throughout that match, dropping a mere three points in his six service games, that it was hard for Jeevan. Saketh was very sharp in the tie-break and ran up a 7-0 lead.
With Saketh stepping on court with Madhwin Kamath, instead of Jeevan and veteran Kamlesh Shukla, it became all the more difficult for Fanatics to make a match of it.
Saketh and Madhwin took a 5-1 lead, before Jeevan provided a glimpse of his prowess. To his credit, Madhwin served out the match as Yoddhas celebrated.
The champion team was presented ₹2 lakh.
The results (final): Stag Babolat Yoddhas bt Tennis Fanatics 3-1 (Madhwin Kamath bt Kabir Hans 6-2; Vishaal Uppal & Mayur Vasant lost to V.M. Ranjeet & Kabir 2-6; Saketh Myneni bt Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan 7-6(10-3); Mynnei & Madhwin bt Jeevan & Kamlesh Shukla 6-2).
Special awards: Best overall pro: Saketh Myneni; best pro: Siddharth Vishwakarma; most valuable player: Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan; best maverick player: Mayur Vasant; best classic pro: Vishaal Uppal; best junior: Madhwin Kamath; most promising player: Nishant Dabas; best doubles team: V.M. Ranjeet and Kabir Hans .
