Gupta, Popat emerge National Badminton champs

Second seed Abhinn Shyam Gupta (PSCB) overcame a determined Arvind Bhatt of Karnataka to annex the men's singles title in the 66th Syed Modi Memorial Senior National Badminton Championships on Friday.

In a gruelling five-game encounter before a capacity crowd at the K D Singh Babu Stadium, the PSCB shuttler rallied from a 0-7 setback in the first game to finally register a 0-7, 7-2, 7-0, 6-8, 8-6 victory over the fourth seed Bhatt.

Aparna Popat, also of the PSCB, retained the singles title in the women's section beating Trupti Murgunde of Air India in straight games 7-5, 7-3, 7-1.

Gupta overcame the disastrous 0-7 loss in the first game and staged a remarkable comeback by bagging the next game 7-2. After regaining his rhythm he got his revenge thrashing the Karnataka shuttler in the third game 7-0.

Not to be outdone, Bhatt stormed back into the match snatching the fourth game 8-6. The game saw both players engaged in long rallies.

Bhatt at one stage led 5-1 in the decider but failed to hold on to his nerves at crucial points thereby allowing Gupta to dominate. Gupta ultimately took the game 8-6 and the title.

In the women's singles final, Aparna had virtually no difficulty in defeating her rival from Air India Trupti 7-5 7-3 7-1.

The Air India shuttler seemed clueless against Popat's smashes and drops and went down tamely in straight games.

Earlier the mixed doubles title was won by the pair of Marcos Bristo (PSCB) and Madhumita Bisht (Rly), who beat V Diju (Kerala) and Fatima Nazneen (Air India) 7-4, 7-2, 7-1.

Sanave Thomas and V Diju (Kerala) overcame a stiff challenge from Jaseel P Ismail (PSCB) and Jason Xavier (Kerala) to clinch the men's doubles title with a 7-5, 7-3, 6-8, 7-5 victory in a match which lasted a little more than one hour.

Earlier reports:
Abhinn Shyam Gupta, Arvind Bhatt to meet in final
Anand and Popat move into fourth round
Seeds get bye into second round