BANGALORE, June 8: It was another forgettable day for top seed Rajeev Bagga. After his humiliating loss to Kiran Kumar (Andhra Pradesh) yesterday in the team events, Bagga fell to promising Srikant Bakshi (Delhi) in the singles quarter-finals today.

Bakshi, a 25-year-old Railway employee who has represented India in almost all the international tournaments including World Championships and Thomas Cup, won 15-6, 15-3. Bakshi set a fast pace by keeping the trajectory of his tosses flat and pinning the former National champion to the baseline.

Bagga contributed in his own way to his defeat by making too many unforced errors. This when he had no control over his serves.

Bakshi will meet Vincent Lobo (Maharashtra) in the semi-finals. Lobo ended Kiran Kumar's winning run with 6-15, 15-6, 15-11 scoreline. Kiran, who had won an intense battle against Nikhil Kanetkar (Maharashtra) over three games, looked tired. He twice slipped on the court and had to treat his knee.

But he continued bravely. Despite having a swelling on his knee, Kiran fought back from 3-13 to 11-13 in the decider. But Lobo, with his neat dribbles and deception at the net, won the remaining points to clinch victory.

Third seed Sachin Ratti (Punjab) and second seed Vijay Lancy (Maharashtra) also booked their semi-final places.

Neelima Chaudhary (Andhra Pradesh), Sampada Shetye (Maharashtra), Divya Ramesh (Karnataka) and Nirmala Kotnis (Maharashtra) made it to the last eight in women.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.