Top Seed Tejas Shevde stormed into the Finals of the Sub-Junior Boys event of the All Goa Major Ranking Table Tennis Tournament organised by Panjim Gymkhana at Indoor Stadium, Campal, Panaji. Tejas registered an emphatic 12-10, 11-8, 11-5 win over B.S. Siddhart, although his talented opponent did give him a scare in the first set. In the other semis, Yash Salgaonkar used his backhand to good effect along with quick forehand smashes as he shocked second seed Krishal Peres De Silva 9-11, 11-7, 11-5, 13-11.
Earlier, in the quarters, B.S. Sidhart beat Pranav Naik 12-10, 11-8, 11-5, Krishal Peres De Silva beat Yash Naik 7-11, 12-10, 11-5, 13-11, Tejas Shevde beat Mangesh Sakordekar 11-5, 11-5, 11-5 and Yash Salgaonkar beat Tejas Moraskar 11-9, 11-7, 11-6. In the Girls section, Top Seed Tanisi Kirtani sealed her place into the Mini-cadets Finals as she eased her way past Prutha Parrikar with a 11-7, 11-4, 11-4 win. She will meet Vaishali Chandana who beat Abigail Cunha 11-4, 11-6, 11-7 in the other semis. Meanwhile Urmila Mense turned out to be the surprise package of the Tournament as she entered into the Finals of both the Cadets and the Sub-Junior girls events. In the Cadet semis, the upcoming youngster beat Abigail Cunha 11-3, 11-3, 11-2. She will meet Arantxa Noronha who beat Tanvi Raikar 5-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 in a pulsating contest in the other semis. In the Sub-Junior semis, she beat Laxmi Shetye 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-9 to set up an exciting title clash with R Aishwarya who beat Kafira Rodrigues 11-5, 5-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-5 in another close contest in the other semis. The Young and talented Wesley Rosario will be in line for a double crown as he moved into the Finals of both the mini cadets and cadets boys event. In the mini-cadets, Wesley beat Gandhar thakur 11-6, 11-6, 11-4 to set up a title clash with Varun Gangodkar who beat Athawa Nadkarni 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 in the other semis. In the Sub-Junior Boys semis, Wesley scored a comfortable 11-6, 11-6, 11-4 win over Abner Cunha. He will meet the second seed Mangesh Sakordekar who beat Nandan Sakordekar 11-8, 11-5, 11-3 in the other semis. The Finals will be held at Panjim Gymkhana on Sep 9 at 5 pm. Sandeep Heble (Report posted on behalf of organizers)
