Ryan downs Sahil to enter main draw

Mumbai, Apr 30 (UNI) Ryan Jehangir of Maharashtra rallied to a thrilling 2-1 win to enter the main draw in the Tata Consultancy Services-Bombay Gymkhana All India National Ranking Championship Series Junior Tennis Tournament here today.

Jehangir ignored the loss of the opening set and overcame a strong challenge from a determined Sahil Arora of Gujarat in the next two to prevail 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 in an exciting boys final qualifying round.

In another close contest, Rajanveer Singh endured a late challenge before prevailing over Pradeep Deswal 6-2, 7-6 (6) to join Jehangir in the main draw.

But Deswal entered the round of 32 as a lucky loser. The other lucky losers were Jigar Valera, Aakash Israni, Milind Seth and Pune's Om Dalvi.

Saturday's hero Nehal Gaokar also made it to the main draw following a convincing 6-2, 6-0 win over Salil Samant in an all-Maharashtra tie. The main draw commences from Monday.

Results (Final qualifying round): Purav Soni (Guj) bt Jigar Valera (Mah) 6-2, 6-1; Rajanveer Singh (Mah) bt Pradeep Deswal (Pune, Mah) 6-2, 7-6 (6); Varad Deshpande (Pune, Mah) bt Om Dalvi (Pune, Mah) 6-0, 6-0; Ansh Patel (Guj) bt Pratap Kaushal (Mah) 6-1, 6-2; Nehal Gaokar (Mah) bt Salil Samant (Mah) 6-2, 6-0; Ryan Jehangir (Mah) bt Sahil Arora (Guj) 3-6, 7-5, 7-5; Rohan Bhatia (Mah) bt Akash Israni (Mah) 6-0, 6-1; Pranit Iyengar (Mah) bt Milind Seth (Mah) 6-3, 6-3.

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