CHANDIGARH, SEPT 26 :Speedly and aggressive Amal Raj, is the new men’s singles champion after beating Pathik Mehta of Air India in straight games at 11-5, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 in final of the All India Public Sector Table Tennis Tournament organised by Airport Authority at the Sector 23 Table Tennis Hall here today.
The men’s singles final half an hour and Amal Raj smashed the ball on both sides of the table with same skill and accuracy.
In the semi-final had defeated Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sharath Kamal. Amal won the first two games before Sharath, who is ranked 76th in the world, staged a good rally and levelled the score at 2-all. Amal Raj swithced over to ruthlessly attacking Sharath’s backhand and increased the pace of attack to prevail over his rival and claimed the next two games for the final berth. Amal Raj won 15-13, 11-9, 7-11, 8-11, 11-9, 13-11,
"I was more confident and fast. I started catching Sharath on his backhand according to my gameplan and win the semi-final," Amal Raj said after the final. "It was our sixth meeting and it was my third victory over him. We are at par at 3-all,"said Amal Raj who is aiming to don India in the London Olympics and bring laurels to the country. " For training and competition, I will be going to Siberia for a 15-day coaching camp and five days competitions. I will compete in the forthcoming Indian Open and German Open in October."
Pathik Mehta also pulled off an upset victory as he stunned second Indian ranked player Subrajit Saha of Oil India Limited by 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 7-11, 12-10. 11-8, 11-9.
Indian second ranked player K Shamini of Indian Oil Corporation also had shocked unimpressive Olympian Neha Aggarwal in the women’s singles quarter-final, today lost to Divya Deshpande of Air India in the women’s final. Divya won by 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4.
Sharath Kamal and Rajeev Ghai of Indian Oil Coporation won the men’s doubles title at the expense of Amal Raj and Ranbir Das of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation in straight games 11-8, 11-8, 11-8.
The women’s doubles title was won by Mousmi Paul and Madhurika Patkar (ONGC) who defeated Neha Aggarwal and Sushmita Ray (BPCL) 11-6, 7-11, 3-11, 11-6, 11-6 in the final.
Regional Executive Director and President, Sports Control Board, Northern Region, Airport Authority of India, Mr. A. Murugesan distributed the trophies and mementoes. Mr Suneet Dutt, Airport Controller, Airport Authority of India, Chandigarh, who was the organising secretary, received the chief guest along with members of the organising committee.
Results: Men’s singles (semi-finals): Amal Raj (ONGC) bt Sharath Kamal (IOCL) 15-13, 11-9, 7-11, 8-11, 11-9, 13-11, Pathik Mehta (AI) bt Subhajit Saha (OIL) 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 7-11, 12-10. 11-8, 11-9.
Final: Amal Raj (ONGC) bt Pathik Mehta (AI) 11-5, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8.
Women’s singles (semi-finals): Divya Deshpande (AI) Kasturi Chakraborty (IOCL) 11-9, 11-3, 11-1, 11-8, K Shamini (IOCL) bt Mouma Das (OIL) 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4.
Final: Divya Deshpande (AI) bt K Shamini (IOCL) 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4.
Men’s doubles (semi-finals): Amal Raj and Ranbir Das (ONGC) bt Zubin Kumar and Devesh Karia (OIL) 4-11, 14-12, 11-6, 11-4, Sharath Kamal and Rajeev Ghai (IOC) bt Subham Chaudhary and Arnav Ganguly (ONGC) 5-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 12-10.
Final: Sharat Kamal and Rajeev Ghai (IOC) bt Amal Raj and Ranbir Das (ONGC) 11-8, 11-8, 11-8.
Women’s doubles (semi-finals): Neha Aggarwal and Sushmita Ray (BPCL) bt Mouma Das and Nandita Saha (OIL) 11-7, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, Mousmi Paul and Madhurika Patkar (ONGC) bt K Shamini and AV Navedita (IOC) 11-7, 11-9, 14-12.
Final: Mousmi Paul and Madhurika Patkar (ONGC) bt Neha Aggarwal and Sushmita Ray (BPCL) 11-6, 7-11, 3-11, 11-6, 11-6.