Sanaa beats Rushmi to win ITF Women's Circuit singles title

Ahmedabad, Nov 4 (UNI) In a major upset today, third-seeded Sanaa Bhambri beat top-seeded Rushmi Chakravarthi 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-3, and went ahead to bag the double crown at the ACTF-Gujarat NRE Coke ITF Women's Circuit 2006.

Incidently, just yesterday Sanaa had won the doubles title, partnering with Rushmi.

Today, Sanaa basically attacked Rushmi's backhand, since she was well aware of the fact that Rushmi has a very powerful forehand. The strategy worked. The set went against serves most of the time.

Rushmi got broken in the first, third and seventh games while Sanaa failed to hold on to her serves in the second, sixth and tenth games.

In the tie-breaker, Sanaa raced to a 4-0 lead before Rushmi thought of putting some resistance. Sanaa closed it with a 7-4.

The second set also started with trade in service games. Sanaa lost her serves in the first and third games breaking Rushmi in the second. At 1-2 in the second set, Sanaa had to be treated for pain in the right leg. Rushmi started converting and taking shots in forehand.

Her cross court forehands were specially lethal. Again Bhambri was broken in the fifth only to break back in the sixth. In the tenth game Rushmi blew up a 40-0 lead and had to save three more break points before taking the set at 6-4.

By the third set Rushmi was visibly tired and Sanaa was on a song. Sanaa broke Rushmi in the second game and finished the match with a 6-3 third set win. This is Sanaa's second major title.

Sanaa recieved a cash reward of Rs 75,000 for her singles win and Rushmi got Rs 44,000 as the first runner-up. Both recieved Rs 14,300 for their doubles win.

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