Kasbekar, Pragnya enter finals

Today’s semi-final clashes saw Kasbekar put it across top seed Mushir Ulde (Jai Hind) in a five-set struggle, winning 11-21, 25-23, 19-21, 21-18, 21-11 while Irani came back from a set’s deficit to down Jigar Rambhia (Mithibai) 12-21, 21-10, 21-11, 21-14.

The women’s last-four contests were straight-set affairs with Anagha beating RA Podar’s Kalyani Gadre (BPCA) 21-17, 21-18, 21-13 while Pragyna had things very much her own way in a 21-13, 21-18, 23-21 verdict over Mugdha Oltikar (Vivekanand).

Kasbekar’s semifinal success followed his shock win over the top seed Trilok Prabhune (Sydenham) in the quarter-finals. Kabekar won 21-16, 21-19, 16-21, 23-21.

In other men’s singles quarter-final battles, Ulde got the better of NikhilRajadhyaksha 21-9, 21-11, 21-17 while Jigar Rambhia was forced to rally after losing the first game 15-21 to Sanghavi Engineering’s Vivek Mahajan. Rambia clinched the next three 21-10, 21-17, 21-14.

Irani survived some anxious moments before making it to the semis against MM Katkar (Modern), including a protracted second game which went to extra points. Irani, won 21-14, 22-20, 18-21, 21-15.

Anagha made the semis with a 21-5, 21-4, 21-15 victory over Asavari Karve while Kalyani Gadre (BPCA) also won in straight games but only after being taken to extra points in the second by Jai Hind’s Priti Sekar. Kalyani won 21-9, 22-20, 21-11.

Unseeded Pragyna’s surging run to the last-four included a win over Vivekanand’s Mugdha Oltikar 21-13, 21-18, 23-21.

Results
Men’s singles (semi-finals): Kedar Kasbekar (Hinduja) bt Mushir Ulde (Jai Hind) 11-21, 25-23, 19-21, 21-18, 21-11; Neville Irani (RA Podar) bt Jigar Rambhia (Mithibai) 12-21, 21-10, 21-11, 21-14. Quarter-finals: Kedal Kabekar (Hinduja)bt Trilok Prabhune (Sydenham) 21-16, 21-19, 16-21, 23-21; Mushir Ulde (Jai Hind) bt Nikhil Rajadhyaksha 21-9, 22-11, 21-17; Jigar Rambhia (Mithibai) bt Vivek Mahajan (Sanghavi Engg) 15-21, 21-10, 21-17, 21-14; Neville Irani (RA Podar) bt NM Katkar (Modern) 21-14, 22-20, 18-21, 21-15.

Women singles (semi-finals): Anagha Bhave (RA Podar) bt Kalyani Gadre (BPCA) 21-17, 21-18, 21-13; Pragnya Sawant (Vaze) bt Devika Thatte 22-20, 21-14, 24-22. Quarter-finals: Anagha Bhave (RA Podar) bt Asavari Karve (RKT) 21-5, 21-4, 21-15; Kalyani Gadre (BPCA) bt Priti Shekar (Jai Hind) 21-9, 22-20, 21-11; Pragnya Sawant bt Mugdha Oltikar (Vivekanand) 21-13, 21-18, 23-21.