Rishabdev shocks Thakkar for boys` ITF junior title

Mumbai: Fourth seed Rishabdev Raman of Chennai rallied after losing the opening set to subdue top seed Rakshay Thakkar from Pune in three sets to clinch the under 18 boys singles title in the MSLTA-ITF Juniors Tennis Tournament that concluded on Saturday.

Rishabdev, ranked 259th by ITF and 10th nationally, lost the first set 2-6 but stormed his way back to grab the next two 6-2 7-6 (4) in the three-hour final that was basically fought from the baseline. Two breaks of serve, in the 4th and 6th games, were enough for Thakkar, ranked 190th worldwide and 5th nationally, to clinch the first set but his serve was broken twice by Rishabdev, in the 3rd and 5th games, which helped the Chennai lad win the set and force the decider. Rishabdev had an early break of serve in the third and looked poised to win the set and match when his delivery was broken by the top seed in the 10th to make it 5-all. In the tie break that later ensued, Rishabdev played more steadily to clinch the crown. The corresponding girls` summit clash between two Turkish girls was won by Eraydin Basak, ranked a lowly 507th among juniors, who surprised sixth seeded compatriot Seda Arantekin (ranked 365th) 6-4 2-6 6-4 in a match that lasted 2 hours and 25 minutes. PTI