A confirmed slow starter, Sai showed early stage fright and was broken in the very first game. It seemed the error would prove disastrous for Sai as games went with the serve and Rushmi lead 5-4. But Sai struck that rare purple patch to get even.

The good work continued as Sai went into a 6-5 (40-15) lead. But a few unforced errors saw Rushmi take the game into a tie-breaker. Doubles faults at crucial juntures saw Rushmi win take the tie-breaker at 7-5.

The second set was bizarre - service games made little meaning and breaks were rampant. Of theopening five games of the set, there were four breaks. The opponents went neck to neck in the number of errors made and score was tied at 3-3. But then Sai overtook Rushmi and it was over. Rushmi took set at 6-3 and collected $650 first prize. Sai got $450.

The doubles finals between Sai-Rushmi and the Thai pair of Orawan Wongkamalmai and Montika Anuchan was interrupted by heavy showers. When the play was stopped the Indian girls were leading 4-2 in the second set after losing the first at 6-1.

The second leg of the circuit will be held at Pune from October 19 to 24.

The points availed the top eight players from the tournament are:

Rushmi Chakravarthi (16); Sai Jayalakshmi (12); Shruti Dhawan (8); Orawan Wongkamalasai (8); Archana Venkatraman (6); Arthi Venkatraman (6); Anuchan Montika (6); Anna Nefedova (6).