Second seed Ashita Pranaya Bhengra (India) and top seed Arman Jindal (USA) recorded contrasting wins in the girls’ and boys’ Under-19 finals respectively to clinch the top honours in the Bombay Gymkhana organised 9th Indian Junior Open Squash tournament, an Asian Squash Federation Platinum tournament and a 5-Star tournament on the Indian Junior squash circuit.
Ashita Bhengra Girls U19
In the girls’ final, the Chennai-based Bhengra breezed past top seed Sanika Choudhari (India) in three games with a degree of comfort. Bhengra produced some solid strokes and clever change of pace to outwit her Maharashtra opponent Choudhari and race to a 11-1, 11-7, 11-5 win to emerge champion.
On the other hand, Jindal was made to work extra hard by 3-4th seed Vikas Mehra (India) before clinching victory in five absorbing games. The US player managed to hold his cool and composure to seal a 12-10, 11-7, 11-13, 5-11, 11-7 win.
Amita Gondi Girls U17
In the Girls’ Under-17 finals, top seed Amita Gondi (USA) defeated second seed Sanya Vats (India) 13-11, 11-9, 11-8, while top seed Saksham Choudhary (India) overcame second seed Tushar Shahani (India) 11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7 to win the Boys’ Under-17 title.
Both Bhengra and Jindal were presented with the Under-19 champions’ Trophies and cheques of Rs 31,680 each. Gondi and Choudhary received the winner’s Trophies cheques of Rs 23,040 each.
Results –
Girls’ U-17 (finals): 1-Amita Gondi (USA) bt 2-Sanya Vats (India) 13-11, 11-9, 11-8.
Boys’ U-17 (finals): 1-Saksham Choudhary (India) bt 2-Tushar Shahani (India) 11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7.
Girls’ U-19 (finals): 2-Ashita Pranaya Bhengra (India) bt 1-Sanika Choudhari (India) 11-1, 11-7, 11-5.
Boys’ U-19 (semi-finals): 1-Arman Jindal (USA) bt 3/ 4-Vikas Mehra (India) 12-10, 11-7, 11-13, 5-11, 11-7.
Girls’ U-17 (semi-finals): 1-Amita Gondi (USA) bt Amita Singh (India) 11-2, 11-4, 12-10; 2-Sanya Vats (India) bt Yoshna Singh (India) 11-5, 13-11, 11-3.
Boys’ U-17 (semi-finals): 1-Saksham Choudhary (India) bt Utkarsh Baheti (India) 11-8 11-3 11-7; 2-Tushar Shahani (India) bt 3/ 4-Sankalp Anand (India) 11-7, 9-11, 11-3, 12-10.
Girls’ U-19 (semi-finals): 1-Sanika Choudhari (India) bt 3/ 4-Aaradhana Kasturiraj (India) 11-9, 11-7, 11-8; 2-Ashita Pranaya Bhengra (India) bt Rathika Suthanthira Seelan (India) 11-6, 11-8, 12-10.
Boys’ U-19 (semi-finals): Arman Jindal (USA) bt 1-Chan Chi Ho (Hong Kong) 7-11, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10; 3/ 4-Vikas Mehra (India) bt 2-Ho Ka Hei (Hong Kong) 7-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-8.