Kotian stuns Gole in quarters

Thirteen-year-old Ravindra Kotian from Santacruz’s Sane Guruji Vidyamandir,made a terrific impact in the higher age group while scalping hard-hitting fourth seeded Chandrashekhar Gole on his way to the youth boys (Under-21) singles semifinals of the JVPGC-Amit Rathi memorial All Mumbai Ranking table tennis tournament hosted by Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana Club here on Wednesday.

His 6-11,17-15,11-9,11-5,11-6 victory takes him to the last four stage where he takes on top seeded Noel Pinto. However,Noel did not have to go full steam before he sent Yash Shah packing 11-9,9-11,11-8,11-9,9-11,11-6. While Noel was class apart,it was junior Ravindra who stole the limelight. Taking time to settle down,Ravindra failed to judge Chandra’s pace and direction in the opening game. But once he got going in the second game,it was Chandra who was at the receiving end. Such was the control and power Ravindra imparted while hitting his forehand and backhand drives,that Chandra was beaten hands down. Another junior to catch the eye was Rhys Albuquerque. Often flashy Rhys has disappointed many while losing matches from winning position,but not today. The seventh seeded,however, played his strokes with precision and control to knock out his rival second seeded Paresh Murekar7-11,12-10,11-9,11-6,11-7. Rhys next faces Jay Shroff,who put out sixth seeded Siddharth Birje 6-11,11-7,11-3,11-7,11-8.

Results: Youth boys singles (Quarterfinals): (1)- Noel Pinto bt Yash Shah 11-9,9-11,11-8,11-9,9-11,11-6; Ravindra Kotian bt Chandrashekhar Gole 6-11,17-15,11-9,11-5,11-6; Jay Shroff bt Siddharth Birje 6-11,11-7,11-3,11-7,11-8; Rhys Albuquerque bt Paresh Murekar 7-11,12-10,11-9,11-6,11-7. (Pre-quarterfinals): Noel Pinto bt Akshay Gogri 11-7,11-8,15-13,11-7; Yash Shah bt Pranav Kotian 11-6,11-7,11-6,11-8; Ravindra Kotian bt Vedant Shah 11-8,11-9,11-7,15-13; Chandrashekhar Gole bt Tejas Maru 11-9,11-7,11-7,8-11,11-6; Jay Shroff bt Kushal Udani 12-10,11-3,11-5,11-8; Siddharth Birje bt Ashish Kamble 8-11,11-4,11-8,11-7,22-20; Rhys Albuquerque bt Mihir Patekar 11-3, 5-11,8-11,11-8,11-8,11-8.