The momentum, perhaps, may have been with Mouma, who fought back after being 0-3 down to level the score at 3-3. Neha had consistently squandered many opportunities to wrap up the title in her favour, and every time the end looked near, Mouma found that extra bit of nerve to keep fighting on.

It was beginning to appear as if it was just not meant to be for Neha.

However, it was the Delhi girl who inched ahead when it mattered the most, and this time, there was no looking back. Her 11-7, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 10-12, 12-14, 11-9 victory stands her in good stead for the Nationals, due to begin at the end of this month.

“The moment I took a two-point lead in the seventh game, to give me a 6-4 lead, when I started believing that I could win again.

“The first four points just slipped away, and I had no idea what to do. I began playing really fast, because if I slowed down, she would get the advantage. I played so hard my hand got a bit stiff.

“I think I need to work on my backhand,” said Neha after the match, her face reflecting joy and relief in equal measure.

Mouma and Neha were seeded first and second, respectively.

In the men’s final, Anirban Nandi, who had taken out top seed Subhajit Saha on Tuesday, could not repeat his giant killing feat, and lost to Zubin Kumar in the men’s final. Kumar won this clash 9-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-9, 11-6.