EVERGREEN Yogesh Desai added another singles trophy to the number of state and national titles when he defeated Nitish Kumar 11-9, 11-3, 11-8 in the men’s singles (+59) finals of the MCF-TSTTA- 2nd Ranking table tennis tournament, hosted by Mandpeshwar Civic Federation at their Sports Complex at Borivali, here yesterday. Yogesh on the way to the final, beat Sarosh Shroff 11-8, 12-10, 1-11, 11-8 (semifinals) and Bharatbhai Kotecha (11-5, 11-5, 11-5) in the quarters.
While on the way to the knock out stage, he topped the league phase by beating Anuj Varma 11-7,11-8, 11-8, whereas his victim in the title round – Nitish Kumar struggled to get the better of Prashant Machwe 11-5,10-12, 11-8, 11-7 (in the semis) and Ulhas Shirke (12-10, 8-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-6) In the league phase.
Hormaz Pithawala was first stretched by Rajesh Shah (11-7, 11-=7, 5-11, 9-11,11-7) in the semis before he outplayed Parin Thakkar 11-8, 11-3, 11-7 in the (+39) men’s singles final. However, earlier Parin, thrashed home favourite Nilesh Gohil 11-7, 11-9, 11-7.
Results of the women’s League (top two qualified) for the knock out stage:
Vinita Shukla bt Shibakaur Anand 11-4, 11-4, 11-7; Vinita Shukla bt Archana Kale 11-3, 11-6, 11-7; Reena Bhagat bt Shibakaur Anand 11-1, 11-6, 11-7. Reena Bhagat bt Archana Kale 11-3, 11-6 11-7.