Yuki and Rutuja are new National champions

Yuki Bhambri and Rutuja Bhonsle prevailed emerged winners in the the Fenesta National Championship.

New Delhi: Yuki Bhambri downed Davis Cupper Vishnu Vardhan to claim the men`s singles crown while young Rutuja Bhonsle prevailed over experienced campaigner Isha Lakhani to emerge winner in the women`s singles event of the Fenesta National Championship, on Saturday.

Yuki, playing after a long time due to injury issues, scored a 6-4, 7-6 (6) win over top seed Vardhan. Former champion Isha had to settle for a runner-up finish this time around as the 15-year old Rutuja claimed a 6-3 6-3 win in the final. Isha had come through the qualifiers into the main draw. "It is a great feeling. This is the second one in the family and I have been looking forward to this moment for a Long time," Yuki, whose sister Sanaa has also won the national title in the past, said. "It was a great contest, Vishnu really played well. I lost my concentration for a while in the second set but remained patient to win the title. I think, I was trying to do a bit more," the 19-year-old Delhi lad, who pocketed Rs 1.5 lakh as prize money, added. Vardhan, who had made a very impressive debut at India`s Davis Cup tie against Japan, said he had his chances but the better player won on Saturday. "Yuki is a very good player and he played some really good tennis today. I had my moments in the game but, particularly during the second set but unfortunately could not hold on to them," said Vardhan. "After losing the first set I had to come hard and in the way I gave away some easy points to Yuki, but I am happy with my performance over all. I played some good tennis throughout the tournament and even today I was happy to see some of the shots coming good," he added. Left-handed Isha said she was not disappointed at losing the title-clash. "I am happy to see a youngster winning the National title. Rutuja can do much better if she gets physically gets stronger. I did not come into the tournament with expectations at all. From the qualifying till here, being runner-up was a nice run," she said. In the boys` under-18 final, Arjun Khade faced some stiff resistance from Mohit Jayaprakash before winning 7-5, 6-1. P Sri Vaishnavi won the girls` under-18 title as she rallied to beat Simran K Sethi 2-6, 4-6, 6-1. PTI