Tachi, Natasha completes double; Tachi shocks Kadhe for boys' crown

Mumbai, Apr 27 (UNI) Unseeded Ryoto Tachi and girls top seeded player Natasha Palha of Goa claimed their individual crowns to complete a grand double in the Willingdon Sports Club All India Ranking Championship Series tennis tournament, at the Willingdon Sports Club, Mahalaxmi, here today.

Tachi shocked second seed Arjun Kadhe of Pune 6-4, 6-2 in a boys' final that lasted for 70 minutes.

Natasha Palha overcame fourth seeded Shruti Archita of Mumbai 6-4, 6-0 in a girls' final that lasted 55 minutes.

Yesterday, Palha paired with Gauri Bindoor to beat Mrunalini Alla and Urmila Bugunati 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 for the doubles title.

The formidable Kadhe was the fourth seeded player to be among Tachi's victims after the Japanese lad scalped 8th seeded Varun Satyanaraya of Tamil Nadu, top seeded Karan Avlani and fourth seeded Parth Shah in previous rounds, in an astonishing giant-killing streak.

Playing his maiden major final, Tachi relied on aggressive play and his patent double backhand to put Kadhe under pressure early in a quality contest between two outstanding juniors.

13-year-old Tachi, who ruthlessly attacked Kadhe's backhand, sustained the momentum in the second set and sealed the contest for his maiden individual crown.

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

''I went into the final without any fear of facing the second seed,'' revealed a delighted Tachi. ''I just went out there and played my natural game. I chose to attack and my serves were good,'' Tachi added.

Results (Finals): Boys: Ryoto Tachi bt Arjun Kadhe (2) (Pune) 6-4, 6-0.

Girls: Natasha Palha (1) (Goa) bt Shruti Archita (4) 6-4, 6-2.

UNI