Team Herald
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PONDA: Top seed Nishant Shenai and Arjun Rehani stormed into the men’s singles final of Anil Paiginkar Memorial State Badminton Ranking Tournament for Seniors and Veterans, played at the Badminton Hall, here, on Sunday.
Nishant defeated a determined Arjun Bhagat 21-19, 21-19 in a tight semi-final, while Rehani, who’s a recent recruit in CAG Goa office, a ranked India player, produced a dominant display to beat Soham Naik 21-12, 21-9.
Earlier, the talented Soham had caused a major upset when he knocked out strong contender Ayaan Shaikh in the quarter-finals in a close three set match.
In women’s singles, Shreya Mehta stunned top seed Sufiya Shaikh 13-21, 21-15, 21-14, while Janhavi Mahale making her comeback after an injury prone year got past third seed Ritika Chelluri with a commanding 21-11, 21-16 win.
In the men’s doubles semi-final, brothers’ duo of Arjun and Tejan Fallary, one of Goa's most formidable pairs, defeated Mayank Raj and Shaheen CK 21-15, 21-17, while Arjun Rehani and Ayaan Shaikh overcame Aryaman Saraf and Rudra Phadte in a thrilling three-game match, 21-17, 19-21, 21-14.
In mixed doubles, Arjun Rehani and Yasmin Sayed beat Aryaman Saraf and Sufiya Shaikh 21-7, 21-18, and will now face Sanath Kamat and Anar Singbal, who overcame Shaheen CK and Ritika Chelluri 21-17, 13-21, 21-12.
In the women’s doubles semi-final, Anar Singbal and Anjana Kumari edged past Synnovia D’Souza and Yasmin Sayed in a nail-biting contest, 15-21, 21-18, 22-20.
Shivanjali Thite and Sufiya Shaikh secured their spot in the final with a 21-13, 19-21, 21-12 win over Ritika Chelluri and Riya Haldankar.