PANAJI: Vijay Meher and Vinayak Gujarathi emerged champions in the 110+ age-group doubles event, while Goa’s Ashutosh Pednekar stormed into the finals in 45+ singles and 90+ age-group doubles, in the Veterans category on Day 4 of the ongoing Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2022 tennis championships being played at the Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias courts-Miramar and at Panjim Gymkhana.
The annual tennis tournament by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Goa’s first tennis club, is being organised under the aegis of the Goa State Tennis Association (GSTA), with support from Gadre Group.
Vijay and Vinayak had to put in their best of the efforts against Bhawarlal H and Venkatesh Gowda in the 110+ doubles title clash, and prevailed 5-7, 6-1 , 10-7.
Over in the 120+ doubles final, Ajit Bhardwaj and Manoj Chandiramani faced RN Ramesh and Ramaswami Balasubramanian. It proved to be a comfortable outing in the end for Ajit-Manoj combo as they cruised to title victory 6-1 , 6-4.
Goa’s Ashutosh Pednekar remains on course for a double crown as he ensured his spot in the finals. In the 90+ doubles semi-finals, Ashutosh and Rajesh D’Souza overcame the challenge from Sachin Dukle and Kevin Rebelo 4-1 , 1-4 , 10:6. Ashutosh also sealed his place in the 45+ singles title clash when he put it across Yun Jeong 4-2, 4-2 in the last-four stage.
In 90+ doubles final, Ashutosh and Rajesh D’Souza will take on Sheetal Bhosle-Prithviraj Ingle, who breezed past Hemant Bhosale-Sanjeev Gholap 4-2 , 4-0 in the semi-finals.
The 55+ singles final will witness a clash between Ramesh RN and Bhushan Akut. In the semis, Ramesh RN defeated Richard Smith 4-3(7-5) , 4-2; while Bhushan Akut downed Biswajit Roy 4-2 , 4-2.
Manoj Chandiramani’s encounter with his doubles partner Ajit Bhardwaj in the 60+ singles semi-finals produced a stunning contest. Manoj went on to win 3-4 (7-3) , 4-2 , 10-8, to remain in the hunt for a double crown.
Elsewhere, Suresh Paul defeated Cusrow Sadri 4-2 , 4-2 in 45+ singles quarter-finals; Bhawarlal H and Venkatesh Gowda defeated Jairam P and Annamalai Kanagasabai 4-3(9-7) , 4-3(7-5) in 110+ doubles quarters; Vinayak Gujrati-Vijay Meher beat Dr Dinesh Shingte-Vijaykumar Patki 4-1 , 4-0 in the semis.
Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2022 tennis championships, which also comprises events for juniors, youth and seniors; have prizes amounting to INR 1,55,000.
