The State level ranking tournament saw exciting matches played on the international style blue clay courts.
Tennis took flight at the Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias tennis courts with a total of 122 entries coming in across 10 categories, last week. In retrospective to the just concluded tennis bonanza Herald analyzed the upcoming sport which is now an annual fixture on the State’s tennis calendar.
Professionals vs Youth
Clube Gasper Dias has popularized the sport and gave us a lot to cheer about of late. The tournament showcased past top seeds who displayed good foot and wrist movement to keep the crowd entertained. In the women’s category, Charmaine Godinho took on Simran Khan in the finals. But the young Simran played intelligently to move the ball around with powerful volleys and overpowered Charmaine 6-2, 6-3 to win the title.
It was an all-Goan women’s final with Charmaine, the former Haryana champion displaying phenomenal moves backed with some smart tapping across the net. The rapidly improving Charmaine in an exclusive confessed, “I had stopped playing in the professional circuit for almost 20-years. But now I am looking to playing a lot of club tournaments in and around the State. It’s been fantastic out here,” said Charmaine.
Charmaine partnered with Bulu Godinho to emerge runners-up in the mixed doubles category.
“I have been playing recreational tennis after my marriage. My three kids,(two daughters and son), and my husband play tennis as it’s the best way to unwind and it’s recreational. My younger daughter has played in the tournament and soon my 4- year-old son will take to the court,” informed Charmaine.
Route to the finals
In the women’s semi-finals Simran Khan got the better of Manuela as she progressed into the finals winning in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 ,while Charmaine stayed on course coming through a hard fought game winning 6-4, 7-5.
“It’s pretty good to have so many participants competing in almost all the competitions,” said Nathan Chowgule, Goa State Tennis Association President .
Nathan, a former top seed and a avid tennis player having played in US impacted this tournament in many which ways as possible.
“I am glad to see Goan girl’s and boy’s take to tennis. The future is very bright and promising for some out there,” said Nathan.
The young and flamboyant Nathan singled out Simran Khan and Tejas Shevde for praises.” I see a lot of potentials in these two young Goan players. They are striking at the right time,” said Nathan.
Tejas won 6-2, 6-0 against Bulu to book his place in the finals while Gustavo Perziano won 6-0, 6-0 against Standal Pereira.
In the men doubles category the pairing of Tejas and Bulu won comfortably defeating Sachin and Raju 9-5 while Santosh and Gustavo defeated Kevin and Noah by a 9-1 margin to set up a final showdown against Tejas and Bulu.
Dynamic duo
Tejas Shevde and Charmaine Godinho brought some serious star power to The Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias Open. Tejas, current top seed and playing in the circuit has established himself as a player of reckoning. He participated in the JP Morgan Open in US some few years ago and had the honour of meeting his mentor and idol Roger Federer.
“I was in awe of his simplicity and tennis skills. I look upto him as my inspiration,” said Tejas. The promising young boy from Margao, who has been playing tennis at the age of four.
“I took to tennis at a very young age and I am fortunate to be training here at The Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias. It’s feels great to see so many upcoming tennis players on the court,” said Tejas.
“The women were earlier paired in the men’s draw some years ago as we were less in numbers but now things have changed,” said Charmaine. “I entered the tournament at the mid stage of my career only to encourage the young players. I have passed my prime time. It’s the youth who need recognition,” said the former women’s top seed.
Powered by Charmaine’s atomic forehand and returns and young Tejas deft net play and backhand, they’ve not only won straight matches but the hearts of all the aspiring tennis players.
Tejas won the finals in a thrilling match against Gustavo Perziano. He overcame Gustavo 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 to lift the coveted title.
Young players flourish with attacking grace
The 12-year-old Vardhan Karkal clinched the U-16 boys title .He played with composure and control and easily overcame his opponent Jay Bhale in two sets with a score of 6-1,6-0.
In the Girls Under 16 category Ibtisam Shaikh won against Saumya Sukhthankar to claim the trophy. In the Under 12 boys Arnav Oruganty won the finals defeating Felix Craven 4-0, 4-0 while in the Under 12 girls category Rutuja Prabhudessai defeated Simran Bundela 4-0,4-0 to win the finals.
Italian tennis prodigy Felix Craven, suffered a heartbreaking final loss against Arnav Oruganty . But he’s been the second best player in his category, largely because of a new commitment to the net game.
On his way to the finals, Felix Craven won more points at the net than at the baseline, he served and volleyed enroute to the finals. All the elite players are showing an increased appetite for net play.
