Team Herald
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PANJIM: Aryaman Saraf, Yasmin Sayed, Rahul Deswal and Sufiya Shaikh are poised for double crowns each at the Late Manohar Dhond Memorial State Major Ranking Badminton Tournament 2024 underway at the Indoor Stadium, Campal-Panjim, on Saturday.
The tournament, a key selection event for the Senior and Masters Nationals, has reached its exciting finale. In the Men’s Singles, top-seeded Rahul Deswal will take on second-seeded Nishant Shenai, while in the Women’s Singles, top-seed Sufiya Shaikh will battle against Aarohi Coutoncar for the title.
Aryaman Saraf and Yasmin Sayed are set to compete in two finals, with Aryaman pairing with Suraj Lama in the Men’s Doubles final against Floyd Araujo and Fredrick Fernandes, and Yasmin teaming up with Synnovia Dsouza in the Women’s Doubles final against Shivanjali Thite and Sufiya Shaikh.
In the Mixed Doubles final, Aryaman and Yasmin will face Rahul Deswal and Malaika Lobo.
Earlier, the tournament which also features promotional events for Sub Juniors and Junior players was inaugurated by Harshad Dhond, chairman of Dhond’s Sports Club, in the presence of Goa Badminton Association Treasurer and Tournament Organising Secretary Sandeep Heble. The quarter-finals and semi-finals saw intense action, with Rahul Deswal defeating Ayaan Shaikh to secure his spot in the Men’s Singles final, and Nishant Shenai prevailing over Yash Desai in a tough three-set battle.
In the Women’s Singles, Sufiya Shaikh overcame Shivanjali Thite in straight sets, while Aarohi Coutoncar staged a comeback to defeat Shreya Mehta. The doubles matches were equally thrilling, as Aryaman Saraf and Suraj Lama advanced in the Men’s Doubles, and Yasmin Sayed and Synnovia D’Souza secured their place in the Women’s Doubles final.
The Mixed Doubles semi-final saw Aryaman and Yasmin defeat Suraj Lama and Minoshka Pereira, setting the stage for a high-stakes final day.
Results: Semi-finals, Men’s Singles - Rahul Deswal (1) bt Ayaan Shaikh 21-14, 21-19. Nishant Shenai bt Yash Desai (5) 19-21, 21-12, 21-17.
Women’s Singles: Sufiya Shaikh (1) bt Shivanjali Thite 21-19, 21-6. Aarohi Coutoncar bt Shreya Mehta (3) 15-21, 21-11, 21-16.
Men’s Doubles: Aryaman Saraf and Suraj Lama (1) bt Karan Dhavaskar and Sanath Kamat 21-13, 21-17. Floyd Araujo and Fredrick Fernandes (1) bt Kamlesh Kanji and Parag Chauhan (1) 21-14 21-19.
Women’s Doubles: Shivanjali Thite and Sufiya Shaikh (3) bt Aarohi Coutoncar and Minoshka Pereira 19-21, 23-21, 21-2. Synnovia Dsouza and Yasmin Sayed bt Riya Haldankar and Twinkle Sullad (1) 21-7, 21-16.
Mixed Doubles: Aryaman Saraf and Yasmin Sayed bt Suraj Lama and Minoshka Pereira (2) 21-18 21-15. Rahul Deswal and Malaika Lobo bt Rudra Phadte and Aarohi Coutoncar (1) 21-14 18-21 21-14.