Rushikesh beats Zaidan, clinches title

Manama : Indian Rushikesh Sunil clinched the 10 years and under category title and Saudi Arabia’s Haider Al Fareed took the 8 years and under category on the second and concluding day of the Bahrain Tennis Federation (BTF) Unisex Junior Tennis Championships yesterday under the slogan Rule The Court at its courts at the Polytechnic University in Isa Town.

In the 10 years and under final, Rushikesh defeated Bahraini female player Hajar Zaidan 6-0 games in a one-set match in the final of the category.

The players used International Tennis Federation (ITF) approved green balls on a full court as Rushikesh dominated with superior strength in both his serving and returns.

In the 8 years and under final, Haider defeated Bahraini Hashim Al Toobli 4-2 games in a one-set match using the red ball on a mini court with the winner.

Haider took a 2-0 lead before Hashim won the next two games to level at 2-2, Haider then went on to win the next two games to clinch the title.

In the third-place match, Bahraini Hussain Jalil beat his female compatriot 4-1 after racing into a 3-0 lead.

Earlier in the semi-finals, Hashim defeated Salma 4-0 and Haider got the better of Hussain 4-1 after going 3-0 ahead.    

Tournament Director and BTF coach Essam Abdul A’al said, “This tournament was played in the International Tennis Federation approved format under the Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) to discover, identify and develop future talent with a view to competing in regional and international competition in the future. All the players played to the best of their abilities and it is going to be an exciting time ahead for them as they continue in their development.”

A total of 30 players were in the fray in the two-day event including six from across the causeway from Saudi Arabia.