Down by two frames to three in the best-of-eleven summit clash, Kolkata-based Kothari dug deep into his reserves to turn the tables on the former two-time Asian champion from Mumbai to bag the top honours in the Rs 4.8-lakh prize money tournament.
Kothari, who had shocked India no. 2 Kamal Chawla 5-4 yesterday in the semi-finals, prevailed 31-60, 73-43, 69-32, 15-65, 10-56, 63-24, 75-43, 17-84, 65-62, 16-72, 68-49 in a match of fluctuating fortunes that lasted four-and-a-half hours.
Merchant, who won Rs 50,000 by finishing second, looked to have the edge early on before Chawla drew level at 3-3 and then became the hunter with his more fancied rival playing the catch-up game in a battle of attrition.
