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Vakharia in ITF tournament final
September 12, 2003 18:55 IST

Fourth seed Megha Vakharia ousted second seed Chin-Bee Khoo of Malaysia 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5) to enter the final of the Indian Oil Servo ITF women tennis tournament in Bangalore on Friday.

The 19-year-old Vakharia will take on top seed Suchanan Viratprasert of Thailand, who easily beat Rushmi Chakravarthi 6-2, 6-2 in the other semi-final.

However, Chakravathi had the consolation winning the doubles crown. Seeded No 1, she and Sai Jayalakshmi beat second seeds Vakharia and Chin-Bee 6-2, 6-4 in the final.

"Though it was a tough match against Khoo and Vakharia, we combined well and played well," Chakravarthi said after the match.

In making the singles final, Vakharia avenged her defeat against the 300-ranked Chin Bee in the semi-finals of the Delhi leg.

The 498th-ranked Vakharia said: "I committed too many mistakes in the second set with her approaching the net and smashing."

"Tomorrow it will be a tough battle," she added.

Vakharia will shortly leave for Tashkent to participate in the Asian Championship, from September 22 to 29.

Viratprasert, ranked 297, had a cake-walk against Chakravarthi, winning in 77 minutes. The Indian was all at sea against the superior courtcraft of the Thai player.

"She was inconsistent and made too many mistakes," said Viratprasert about her opponent.

Talking about her prospects in Saturday's final, the Thai girl said: "Megha is a fine player. However, I feel I have a chance."

UNI

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