Sourabh Singh, Isha Lakhani
emerge champions

Third seed Sourabh Singh outclassed Tushar Liberhan while top seed Isha Lakhani had to fight hard against Kartiki Bhat before winning the boys and girls' singles titles respectively in the ITF Junior tennis grade-3 tournament in Delhi, on Friday.

Sourabh Singh, who had ousted spirited Israeli player Dor Wethimer in the semi-finals on Thursday, display his power game and gave no chances to his Chandigarh mate, beating him 6-2, 6-2 in a battle that lastes barerly an hour.

"I had an easy victory. I intended to keep the ball high today. But never expected him (Liberhan) to play so meekly," a beaming Sourab Singh said.

Lakhani had to play tough tennis with a swollen right ankle, as Bhat was not ready to give up easily and gave a second set scare before succumbing 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, in a match that lasted two hours and 10 minutes.

The top seed started by breaking Bhat's opening serve. Though Bhat tried to come back through powerful volleys, Lakhani took the set through brilliant placements.

Bhat then struck form to outplay a desperate-looking Lakhani and take the second set. But Lakhani proved her class in the next set to win the title.

"This is my first ITF grade-3 title. Bhat gave me a tough fight. Though I played with a swollen ankle, I am glad I could manage," said Lakhani.