Vikram outplays Sahil for title  

Top seed and under-19 National champion Vikram Malhotra was in rampaging form as he blanked second seed Sahil Vora to lift the men's singles title in the Minute Maid Pulpy Orange Squash Classic 2008, which concluded at the squash courts of Gold's Gym, Oshiwara on Tuesday.

Malhotra was in total control against Vora, his speed and power play brooking no opposition from the senior rival, who has been playing collegiate squash in the US. Malhotra prevailed 11-9, 11-7, 11-6 in just 35 minutes. Malhotra won Rs 7,500 for his victory, while Vora took home Rs 4,000.

The handicap doubles title was lifted by Kunwarpal Singh and Nitin Chauhan of Jindal, who defeated their clubmates Sunil Verma and Laxman Joshi 15-14, 15-13. The doubles winners gained Rs 8,000, with the runner-up pair winning Rs 4,000.

In the semi-finals, Malhotra weathered a tough first game before getting the better of former National champion Akhil Behl 12-10, 11-3, 11-5 , while Vora scored a 11-2, 11-6, 11-6 victory over teenager Mahesh Mangaonkar.

Additional Commissioner of Police Archana Tyagi gave away the prizes.

Results

Final  :

Men's top 16 singles : 1-Vikram Malhotra bt 2-Sahil Vora 11-9, 11-7, 11-6.

Handicap doubles : Kunwarpal Singh / Nitin Chauhan bt Sunil Verma / Laxman Joshi 15-14, 15-13.

Semi finals :

Mens Top 16 Singles :

1-Vikram Malhotra bt 6-Akhil Behl 12-10, 11-3, 11-5;
2-Sahil Vora bt 5-Mahesh Mangaonkar 11-2, 11-6, 11-6.

Handicap Doubles :

Sunil Verma /Laxman Joshi bt Sanjay Pawar / Virendra Pawar 15-12, 8-15, 15-12

Kuwarpal Singh / Nitin Chauhan bt Dr. Sudesh Mishra / Dr. Anil Khot 15-12, 15-11

Quarterfinals:

Mens Top 16 Singles :

1-Vikram Malhotra bt Kunawrpal Singh 11-7, 11-9, 11-7;

6-Akhil Behl bt 4-Harjinder Singh 11-2, 11-8, 11-5;

5-Mahesh Mangaonkar bt 3-Laxman Joshi 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6;

2-Sahil Vora bt Rohit Thawani 11-1, 11-5, 11-4.

Handicap Doubles :

Sunil Verma /Laxman Joshi bt Gopi Mohite & Sunil Lalchandani 12-15, 15-9, 17-16.
Sanjay Pawar / Virendra Pawar bt Rajat Agarwal/ Dipesh Borade 15-13, 15-9
Kuwarpal Singh / Nitin Chauhan bt Samir Mistry / Mukesh Desai 15-11, 15-13
Dr. Sudesh Mishra / Dr. Anil Khot bt Tushar Bambhania / Mohd. Merchant 15-11, 15-13

Press Articles of the tournament

• Parting Short getting sporty (Article in DNA Mumbai : 28/09/2008)

• Party power (Article in Hindustan Times, Mumbai : 26/09/2008)

88th Tournament Organised by ISP