KATHMANDU, Jan 31: Samrakshak Bhushan Bajracharya and Mayanka Rana have claimed men's and women's singles titles of the Ninth Sahabir Memorial Open Lawn Tennis Tournament in the capital on Tuesday.
In the final matches played at Armed Police Force (APF)'s court Halchowk, Kathmandu, Samrakshak defeated Kumar Adhikari of AIA 7-5, 7-6 in the men's event to clinch the title. Similarly, Mayanka overcame the challenge of Ganga Sharma of Pokhara 6-4, 6-2 in women's final.
Despite the straight set win, Samrakshak said that the final match was tough against well-known foe Kumar. “Though it was a tough match, I managed to pull the win. My confidence level was very high as I had beaten him in the two finals played last year. However, he gave me a strong fight today,” said Samrakshak who had won gold in Seventh National Games beating the same opponent.
Samrakshak, Mayanka win singles titles
Samrakshak who turns 16 on Thursday, had defeated Kumar in the final of Citizen Open which was another trophy of 2016 beside Lalitpur Open Tennis Championship.
Mayanka, the record three gold medalists in Seventh National Games in Nepali women's tennis history, said that she was confident of winning the title. “As I am enjoying the best form of my life, I was pretty confident that I would lift this trophy. I played the final according to game plan and I succeeded to beat my opponent,” said the 16-year-old Mayanka who had won Seventh edition of the tournament two years back. However, she was ousted from semifinal in the last edition.
Ganga wasn't new opponent for Mayanka as national champion had defeated her in the semifinals of Citizens Bank Open Tennis Tournament last year. Mayanka had won three titles last year including Lalitpur Open Tennis Tournament, Citizens Bank Open Tournament alongside National Games.
Similarly Raju Chhetri of Lalitpur became champion in the veteran's singles above 35 years age beating Shree Ram Magar of APF 4-6, 6-3, 14-12 in the summit clash. Likewise, Lalitpur's Krishna Raj Ghale won the title in veteran's singles above 45 years age registering win of 6-4, 6-1 over Pratap Moktan of Hetauda in the final clash.
The tournament organized by APF was kicked off on January 26.
