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Megha Vakharia triumphs

Our Correspondent

Crowd favourite Megha Vakharia won her second consecutive crown in as many weeks by defeating Archana Venkataraman in the final of third leg SoulKurry.com-sponsored ITF women's Satellite tennis tournament, at the Poona Club courts, on Saturday.

After playing two successive matches, first the semis and then a three-setter in the doubles final, both players were a bit tired. However, Megha looked the fitter of the two even though she was not able to get her serve right. But the 15-year-old managed to overcome that handicap by capitalising on the slow movement of her 22-year-old opponent.

Megha, who had beaten Archana last week in the Bombay leg in straight sets, did well to expose Archana's weak points. Knowing well that Archana is a baseline player, she frequently rushed to the net.

The match began with both players exchanging breaks in the first three games, Archana earning two of them. Both then managed to hold serve for the next two games. Trailing 2-3, Megha came back in resounding fashion, giving Archana no room to earn points, and levelled the score. However, the Bombay girl failed to maintain the momentum and dropped serve to fall behind again at 3-4. A string of winners got her back on par and she took command of the match for the first time by holding serve in the next. Serving to save the set in the tenth, Archana managed to save four set points but failed to stop an aggressive Megha, who took the set 7-5.

The second set was no different, with both players getting in a weak first serve and committing unforced errors. At three games all, Megha started feeling pain in her elbow and double-faulted thrice. The game saw deuce called five times and finally Archana prevailed. But she could not presrve her lead as unforced errors cost her her serve and brought the set scores level 4-4.

Leading 6-5, Megha got her opportunity to finish the match, which she did, as Archana again committed a couple of unforece errors.

Archana later said that she was not in her element and did not play her normal game.

Megha, meanwhile, said she read Archana's game well after last week's win.

Both players are part of the 16 who play the Masters at Delhi, from May 29 to June 1.

Results:

Singles: 3-Megha Vakharia bt 2-Archana Venkataraman 6-4, 7-5.