Tikhonov, Alekandra bag singles titles

Chandigarh, Jan 6 (UNI) Russian Alexey Tikhonov claimed a double crown by winning the boys singles and doubles finals in the Sunny Enclave ITF Junior World Ranking (Grade 3) Tennis Tournament at the CLTA Stadium here today.

In the boys singles final at the Centre Court, Tikhonov came out firing on all cylinders as he raced to a fluent 6-3, 6-1 victor against local favourite 17-year-old Vijayant Malik.

Later in association with Rifat Biktyakov of Uzbekistan, he defeated Jeong Han Seo and Jai Beom Kim of Korea 6-0, 6-0.

Sixth seed Alekandra Kolesnichenk of Uzbekistan played a controlled game to down Jessy Rompies in the girls singles final at court no. 2.

CLTA speed gun today recorded Tikhonov's serve at 200 kmph. His rival Malik was all at sea while receiving his booming serves. The Russian fired five aces in all and generally relied on erve-and-volley game. His ground strokes were excellent which at times left Malik stranded.

Vijayant found the Russian too hot to handle and surrendered after his impressive run up to the final.

Malik complimented Tikhonov for his brilliant all-round performance, saying ''I committed numerous unforced errors. I was also feeling pain in my arm. It is just a muscle pain and not elbow tennis,'' said Malik, who was seeded fourth here.

Tikhonov is trained by Krotiouk Sergei, who himself had won ITF Men's Future in Chandigarh in November 2006.

In the first set he broke Malik in the seventh and ninth games to win 6-3. In the second set, Malik could retain his serve in the third game. Malik was broken in the 2 nd, 4th and 6th games as his rival wrapped up the set with an ace.

CLTA chairman Rajan Kashyap announced a cash scholarship of Rs 10,000 to Vijayant Malik, who is a product of CLTA Rural Academy and Lt Gen Daljeet Singh also gave a, identical diet money. Former CLTA trainee Akash Sharma announced another scholarship of Rs 10,000 for Malik.

The singles winners were awarded 60 ITF points and runners-up 45 each. In the doubles, the winners obtained 50 points and runners-up 30 points.

Results (all finals) Boys singles: Alexey Tikhonov (Russia) bt Vijayant Malik (India) 6-3, 6-1.

Boys doubles: 1-Alexey Tikhonov (Rus) and Rifat Biktyakov (Uzb) bt Jeong Han Seo and Jai Beom Kim (Korea) 6-0, 6-0.

Girls singles: Aleksandra Kolesnichenk (Uzbekistan) bt Jessy Rompies (Ina) 6-0, 6-4.

Girls doubles: 5-Poline Dzyuba (Rus) and Beatrice Gumulya (Indonesia) bt 6-Olga Makhova and Nanuli Pipiya (Russia) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

UNI