CHANDIGARH, FEB 12: If top seed Uzma Khan lifted the crown, her opponent Shruti Dhawan won the hearts of the spectators in the girls singles final of the International Tennis Federation Junior Tennis Circuit at the Sector 10 CLTA Complex here today. A record number of 11 breaks, including five by Uzma in the first set became the talking point. The high-tension final lasted over two hours.It was their fourth meeting and Shruti Dhawan, a former CLTA trainee, who has shifted to Delhi for professional reasons, lost all the matches to Uzma.
However, this was the first time that Uzma, the winner of the first leg in Delhi, looked shaky and was extended to three sets. Today, Uzma just managed to prevail over her plucky rival at 6-7 (5-7) 6-1, 6-4.
Later, Davis Cup reserve for India Vijay Kannan won the boys singles final in a contrasting style. Proving himself a class apart, Kannan won 6-2, 6-2 against Ravi Kiran Bhat in just 50 minutes.
Experienced and a memeber of the Indian team for the Federation Cup,Uzma Khan hesitated to rush at the net and whenever she did she hit long or wide. Only once Uzma volleyed to get a point otherwise she fought the battle from the third line. Shruti Dhawan, a Dhaita trainee, displayed a variety of strokes.
Results
Boys singles (final): Vijay Kannan bt Ravi Kiran Bhat 6-2, 6-2.
Girls singles (final): Uzma Khan bt Shruti Dhawan 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-4.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
