Sathwika Sama, Manish Sureshkumar triumph

Second seed Sathwika Sama saved nine match points to beat top seed Sowjanya Bavisetti 4-6, 6-2, 6-5 in the women’s tennis final of the South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Monday.

National champion Sowjanya eventually had to retire with a wrist injury, after having missed her chances.

It was a day for the second seeds. Manish Sureshkumar beat top seed Saketh Myneni 6-4, 7-6(6) for the men’s gold. Manish had beaten the seasoned Aqeel Khan of Pakistan 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-5 in the semifinals and thus was well prepared for the climax.

Coach and captain of the team, former National champion Ashutosh Singh was happy that India swept all the gold and silver in the five individual events in tennis, in men’s, women’s and mixed events.

The results (finals):

Men: Manish Sureshkumar bt Saketh Myneni 6-4, 7-6(6).

Women: Sathwika Sama bt Sowjanya Bavisetti 4-6, 6-2, 6-5 (retired).