Ritwik, Joshna retain CCI-Western India titles

Mumbai, Nov 5 (UNI) Top seeds Ritwik Bhattacharya and Joshna Chinappa retained the men's and women's Open titles in the 63rd CCI-Indiabulls Western India Squash Championship at the Cricket Club of India here.

Bhattacharya, the highest ranking Indian in the world at number 38, taught Chennai's Harinderpal Singh some lessons with a convincing 9-5, 9-1, 9-5 victory in the men's final that lasted one hour.

The young player from Chennai, playing his maiden men's title round, ignored his much fancied opponent's reputation with a good start as he raced to a 5-1 lead in the opening game. But, Ritwik warmed up to level at 5-all and never looked back since.

Ritwik earned Rs 75,000 for his effort, while Harinderpal pocketed Rs 40,000.

In the women's final, favourite Joshna Chinappa denied Shivangi Paranjpe a double after fashioning a 9-3, 9-3, 9-0 win and earned a cheque of Rs 25,000.

Among the juniors, Vikram Malhotra and Mahesh Mangaonkar of Mumbai enjoyed a rewarding day when they helped themselves to deserving double crowns.

Malhotra of HR College and Otters Club won the boys' under -19 and under-17 titles in contrasting fashion. He enjoyed an easy tie while beating Chennai's Cyril Kuhn 9-5, 9-1, 9-5 in the under-17 final, but had to endure dogged resistance from the formidable Sandeep Jangra before escaping to a thrilling 10-8, 4-9, 10-9, 5-9, 9-0 victory in the under-19 final.

Mangaonkar too won in contrasting styles in Under-13 qnd Under-15. He eased to a9-3, 9-2, 9-3 victory over CCI's Caran Arora in the under-13 final, and later overcame a dour Aadit Zaveri 9-4, 2-9, 9-2, 9-4 in an exciting under-15 championship round.

Ankita Sharma ended a prolonged title drought when she bagged the girls under-15 title with an impressive 9-7, 9-3, 7-9, 9-5 win over Sachika Balwani.

And, Shivangi Paranjpe denied Balwani in the girls under-19 final with a 9-2, 9-1, 9-4 win.

Results (All finals): Men's Open: Ritwik Bhattacharya bt Harinderpal Singh (Chennai) 9-5, 9-1, 9-5.

Women: Joshna Chinappa (Chennai) bt Shivangi Paranjpe 9-3, 9-3, 9-0.

Boys U-19: Vikram Malhotra bt Sandeep Jangra 10-8, 4-9, 10-9, 5-9, 9-0.

Boys U-17: Vikram Malhotra bt Cyril Kuhn (Chennai) 9-5, 9-1, 9-5.

Boys U-15: Mahesh Mangaonkar bt Aadit Zaveri 9-4, 2-9, 9-2, 9-4.

Boys U-13: Mahesh Mangaonkar bt Caran Arora 9-3, 9-2, 9-3.

Boys U-11: Raghav Mehrotra bt Kunj Rawani 9-4, 9-5, 9-6.

Girls U-19: Shivangi Paranjpe bt Sachika Balwani 9-2, 9-1, 9-4.

Girls U-15: Ankita Sharma bt Sachika Balwani 9-7, 9-3, 7-9, 9-5.

Professionals (Final): Sanjay Pawar bt Sachin Jadhav 9-1, 9-0, 9-4.

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