Bhakar caps splendid run with under-16 boys crown

The 13-year-old slim boy from Bikaner, attached with the Ludhiana-based Harvest Tennis Academy for the past 18 months, outhit top seed Akshay I B of Tamil Nadu on both flanks to carve out a 6-4 6-4 victory in the final at the CCI courts here.

"This is my first title at the national level. I never expected to win here and was aiming to reach the quarters or semis. I am very glad," said Bhakar, who trains under Australian coach Todd Clark.

"I have been training under him over the last 18 months and my game has improved a lot," added the Rajasthan boy, who laid low the second and third seeds - Sachin Kumar of Chandigarh and Vishnu Prasad of Delhi - on his way to the summit contest.

 

Bhakar looked the better player of the two from the start, but had trouble holding his serve after breaking his rival's serve often.

Akshay also took a medical time-out in the opening set to attend to a toe injury and was beaten by a rival who moved around the court better and also hit the ball harder on the forehand.

Three other singles winners completed a grand double crown, having pocketed the corresponding doubles title in the morning. (More)