Tachi stuns Parth Shahto to storm into final

Mumbai, Apr 26 (UNI) Royato Tachi scalped fourth seed Parth Shahto to storm into the boys final and set himself up for a double, in the Willingdon Sports Club All India Ranking Championship Series tennis tournament, at the Willingdon Sports Club, Mahalaxmi here today.

Tachi crushed fourth seed Parth Shah 6-3, 6-3 to set up a title clash with second Arjun Kadhe of Pune, who beat third seed Vishal Passi 6-4, 6-4 in the other semi-final.

Relishing an attacking game, coupled with a powerful forehand, 13-year-old Tachi smashed his way through both sets. His first serves got better in the second set which had fewer double faults.

''Reputation don't matter to me. I just play my natural game,'' said a delighted Tachi, who shocked eighth seed Varun Satyanaraya of Tamil Nadu and top seed Karan Avlani in the previous two rounds.

''I played a more attacking game and enjoyed a good forehand. I also hit the ball hard,'' Tachi added.

Tachi said the match was not as easy as the scores suggest, though he ignored perils of the scorching heat.

''I am used to the conditions. I should not care about them since I have to play in all kinds of conditions,'' he added.

Later, Tachi teamed up with Vishwesh Sinha to clinch the doubles crown following a 6-2, 6-4 win over Vishal Passi and Karan Avlani.

The girls' final will be played between top seed Natasha Palha of Goa and the fourth seed Shruti Archita of Mumbai, who had upset No two Madhuri Patere 6-4, 6-4.

Palha also was in line for a double. She paired with Gauri Bindoor to beat Mrunalini Alla and Urmila Bugunati 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 for the doubles title.

Results: Boys (Semi-finals): Royato Tachi bt 4-Parth Shah 6-3,6-3; 2-Arjun Kadhe (Pune) bt 3-Vishal Passi 6-4, 6-4.

Doubles Final: Tachi/Vishesh Sinha bt Passi/Karan Avlani 6-2, 6-4.

Girls (Semi-finals): 1-Natasha Palha (Goa) bt 3-Riddhi Hegde 6-2, 7-6 (7-4); 4-Shruti Archita bt 2-Madhuri Patere 6-4, 6-4.

Doubles Final: Palha/Gauri Bindoor bt Mrunalini Alla/Urmila Bugunati 7-6 (7-4), 7-5.

UNI