Saumya wins double crown, Joshi wins u-19 title in junior squash

Mumbai, Sep 22 (UNI) Saumya Karki of Jindal Squash Academy bagged the girls under-19 and girls under-15 titles in the Little Masters All India Junior Squash Tournament, 2007 organised by the Willingdon Sports Club, at their squash courts, here today.

Laxman Joshi emerged the boys under-19 champion beating Cyrus Vakil comprehensively 9-4, 9-0, 9-0.

Saumya Karki, who was the top seed in the girls under-15 age group, was made to work hard by second seeded Sachika Balwani. After winning the first game with ease 9-3, Saumya was put to test by Sachika. Some precise shots allowed Sachika to steal the second game away from Saumya 9-6. Sachika was determined to give the game her best and this made for a close and tense third game. Saumya held her nerve to take the game 10-9. The loss in the third game was a huge setback for Sachika, and Saumya took advantage of her disappointment to seal the title with a 9-3, 6-9, 10-9, 9-6 win.

In the girls under-19 final, Saumya was playing top seeded Shivangi Paranjpe. After losing the first game to Saumya, Shivangi was forced to concede the game due to pain in her back. Saumya pocketed Rs 8500 for her win in the girls under-15 category and Rs 18,000 for winning the girls under-19 category.

The boys under-19 final was a straight forward affair with Laxman Joshi outclassing Cyrus Vakil. Joshi, seeded one, was head and shoulders above his opponent Vakil, seeded two. Vakil managed to sneak in four points in the first game but after that Joshi took control to romp home 9-4, 9-0, 9-0. Joshi emerged richer by Rs 30,000 while Vakil was handed Rs 15,000.

Results: Boys and Girls U/9: Ben Kennedy bt Aman Rawal 6-9, 9-5, 9-5, 9-0.

Boys U/11: (1) Kunj Ravani bt (2) Yohaan Pandole 9-5, 9-1, 9-2.

Boys U/13: (1) Rahil Fazelbhoy bt (3) Arjun Kocchar 9-2, 3-9, 4-9, 9-7, 9-1.

Boys U/15: (2) Abhishek Pradhan bt (1) Mahesh Mangaonkar 1-9, 10-9, 7-9, 9-2, 9-4.

Girls U/15: (1) Saumya Karki (Jindal squash Academy) beat (2) Sachika Balwani 9-3, 6-9, 10-9, 9-5.

Boys U/17: (1) Karan Malik (TN) bt (3) Mahesh Mangaonkar 9-5, 6-9, 9-5, 7-9, 9-1.

Girls U/19: (2) Saumya Karki bt (1) Shivangi Paranjpe 9-6, retd.

Boys U/19: (1) Laxman Joshi bt (2) Cyrus Vakil 9-4, 9-0, 9-0.

UNI