Mahajan, justified his top billing after recently winning a double crown at Pune, and for the fifth time this season outwitted his friend and Mumbai Suburban mate Kukreja in a title round.

Down 16-19 in the first game, he conceded no further points to forge ahead and did the same in the second game at 18-20 down.

Not shy of attacking when trailing, Mahajan induced his opponent into errors by sustaining rallies when he led. Coached by Deepak Mani and Prasad Naik, Mahajan, a student of St Blaise, Amboli, now views the State championships at Karad next week for further honours.

Results

Sub-junior boys (final): Ankur Mahajan bt Sahil Kukreja 21-19, 22-20, 21-18. Semifinals: Ankur Mahajan bt Ankur Mahajan bt Omkar Torgalkar 21-11, 21-10, 21-8; Sahil Kukreja bt Anand Nagarkatti 22-20,10-21, 21-15, 21-14.

Sub-junior girls (final): Bhavana Suvarna bt Manasi Bhagwat 21-11, 21-18, 21-17. Semifinals: Bhavana Suvarna bt Juili Inamdar 21-10, 21-15, 21-16; Manasi Bhagwat bt Sonam Bajaj 19-21, 21-12, 21-17, 17-21, 21-13.

Men's singles (pre-quarters): George Joseph bt S Ramaswamy 21-10, 16-21, 21-18, 19-21, 21-15; MS Mohite bt Sanjay Nemlekar 21-16, 22-20, 11-21, 12-21, 23-21; S Sriram bt Nishant Kulkarni 21-19, 21-13, 21-16.

Women's singles (pre-quarters): Shalmali Mhatre bt Chandni Ashar 21-12, 13-21, 16-21, 21-16, 21-14.