Tachi shocks top seed Avlani

Mumbai, Apr 25 (UNI) Unseeded Royato Tachi continued his giant-killing run when he shocked top seed Karan Avlani to storm into the boys semi-finals, in the Willingdon Sports Club All India Ranking Championship Series tennis tournament, at the Willingdon Sports Club, Mahalaxmi, here today.

Tachi, who had upset eighth seed Varun Satyanaraya of Tamil Nadu yesterday, ignored the loss of the opening set to cruise to a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 win. Tachi next takes on 4th seed Parth Shah who beat Tamil Nadu's seventh seed Abhishek Alla in straight sets.

In contrast, second seed Arjun Khade of Pune endured an early challenge and struggled past fifth seed Saurabh Patil 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.

Khade set up a semi-final clash with third seed Vishal Passi who crushed unseeded Acharya Bhardwaj 6-1, 6-2.

All the top four seeds made it to the semi-finals in the girls category and lived up to their reputations as top seed Natasha Palha of Goa led the way, followed by second seed Madhuri Patere, third seed Riddhi Hegde and fourth Shruti Archita.

Results: Boys: QF: Royato Tachi bt Karan Avlani 2-6, 6-2, 6-3; Parth Shah (4) bt Abhishek Alla (7) (TN) 6-4, 6-4; Vishal Passi bt Acharya Bhardwaj 6-1, 6-2; Arjun Khade (2) (Pune) bt Saurabh Patil (5) 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.

Doubles (SF): Tachi/Vishwesh Sinha bt Parth Shah/Saurabh Patil 6-1, 6-1; Vishal Passi/Karan Avlani bt Yash Deshpande/Anvit Bhendre 6-1, 6-2.

Girls: QF: Natasha Palha (1) (Goa) bt Shrushti Bhande 6-0, 6-2; Riddhi Hegde (3) bt Gauri Bindoor (7) 6-1, 6-2; Shruti Archita (4) bt Samita Sai C (8) (TN) 6-4, 7-6 (7-5); Madhuri Patere (2) bt Sayali Patil (5) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

SF: Bindoor/Palha bt Shaminaz Dasdhi/Shrushti Bhande 4-1, 2-4, 4-1.

UNI