Bhandari, Basnet clinch King’s Cup tennis titles

April 29, 2000
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Kathmandu, Apr. 29: Kamal Bhandari defeated Sanu Gurung in four sets to win the men’s singles title of the first King’s Cup Open Tennis Championship here Saturday.

The tournament organized by All Nepal Lawn Tennis Association to mark the 55th Birthday of His Majesty the King, under the sponsorship of International Leasing and Finance Company. Himalayan Bank Ltd and National Life and General Insurance Ltd produced some intriguing rallies and equally great shots from both of the players, in the final much to the delight of the Saturday crowd.

Kamal Bhandari playing some outstanding forehand drives broke Sanu Gurung in the seventh game of the opening set to take a 4-3 lead and took the set serving out at 6-4. In the second set, he held his first service game and broke Gurung to lead by 2-0, indicating short final. But Gurung responded back immediately breaking Bhandari in the third and held his own serve to stay level in the match at 2-2. Bhandari, despite coming up with some stunning returns failed to hold his serve in the fifth and ninth game to conceded the set at 3-6.

Gurung, apart from few instance failed to perform as in the second set and soon found himself trailing by 2-0, losing his service in the right first game. Although he managed to broke back in the third, some irretrievable shots from Bhandari saw him concede several crucial points.

Gurung also struggled with his service and double faulted twice in the set that made Bhandari’s job much more easier, who broke him twice, in the seventh and ninth game to close the set at 6-3 for a 2-1 lead.

It was much of the same story in the fourth game with Bhandari taking early break in the second game and Gurung quickly replying with counter-break. But it was Bhandari, who kept his cool throughout to wrap up the match taking that fourth set, 6-2 to win the title.

Meanwhile Sraddha Basnet, the former number one player, clinched the women’s single title with a straight forward 6-3, 6-1 win over promising Mallika Rana. Rana, who played so well in this tournament did not have to return home empty handed though. Showing tremendous improvement in her game, she lifted the junior girls’ single title ending the dominance of Vindya Dayananda, whom she beat by 6-3, 6-3 in the final.

Earlier, Deepak Shrestha had to settle once again as a bridesmaid as he was beaten by Manoj Rana in the repeat of the Grindlays Open final. In the sub-junior boys’ Sang Ryal Kim posted a 9-6 win over Shreyans Karki to clinch the title.

Later, chief guest of the final, Princess Jyotsna Basnyat distributed trophies to the winners and runners-up of various events while the representative of Himalayan Bank Ltd gave away cash prizes to the players.

On the occasion, President of ANLTA, Siddeshwor Kumar Singh announced to make this tournament an annual event. Also present on the occasion was the president of Nepal Olympic Committee, Rukma Shumsher Rana.