Earlier in the day, Nishant had knocked out second seed Gaurav Parte in the quarterfinal. He will now take on top seed Noel Pinto in the title round.
Paddler Nishant Kulkarni ousted third seeded Dheeraj Rai in the semifinals to storm into men’s singles final of the Pro TT Academy-MCDTTA ranking table tennis tournament at the University Stadium here on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Nishant had knocked out second seed Gaurav Parte in the quarterfinal. He will now take on top seed Noel Pinto in the title round.
What was remarkable about Nishant’s win, especially in the semifinal, was his ability to fight back after trailing 0-2. The Central Railway stalwart not only blunted Dheeraj’s double flank attack, but countered it with his trademark forehand controlled topspin drives, which his opponent failed to read.
At the start of the match, Dheeraj took 2-0 lead before Nishant could settle down. However, the moment the southpaw found his bearing, he romped through the tie 5-11 7-11 12-10 12-10 11-7 3-11 11-6.
For Noel, however, it was not that easy as junior Chandrashekar Gole gave a tough fight before he could prevail at 11-9 11-5 8-11 8-11 11-6 11-4
However, Chandrashekhar made sure that he will figure in one final at least. He downed Anay Dave 11-6 11-6 11-4 11-6 in the junior boys singles. He faces Jay Shroff, who overpowered erratic Rhys Albuquerque 11-9 9-11 11-8 1-11 11-1 11-9.
Results: Men’s singles (quarterfinals): 1-Noel Pinto bt Sunil Kelkar 11-9 11-8 11-8 12-10; Nishant Kulkarni bt 2-Gaurav Parte 11-13 11-9 11-9 11-7 11-8, 3-Dheeraj Rai bt Mahendra Chiplunkar 11-7 11-9 (Conceded)
(Semifinals): 1-Noel Pinto bt Chandrashekhar Gole 11-9 11-5 8-11 8-11 11-6 11-4; Nishant Kulkarni bt 3-Dheeraj Rai 5-11 7-11 12-10 12-10 11-7 3-11 11-6.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=spacer}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}