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Soha Sadiq’s fine form fetched her the fourth title of the season as she wore her third singles crown with a victory over Akanksha Nitture of Maharashtra in the finals of the PBI-CSE AITA Rs 1 lakh prize money Women’s tennis tournament played under the aegis of KSLTA here on Saturday. The top seed from Karnataka came back after a first set loss to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 to end the tournament with a fine double. Soha and Akanksha had won the doubles title yesterday.

After heavy rains had delayed the start of the final by more than two hours, the 23-year-old Soha dominated the proceedings from the word ‘go’ and was soon 4-1 up. However, she lost the momentum which was quickly grabbed by her opponent as the third seed went on to win five games in a trot to take the first set.  The second set saw both the rivals fight hard for each point until the sixth game with the scores being level. It was then that Soha stepped up the gas and closed out the set at 6-3.

In the decider, Soha after a 2-1 lead, broke Akanksha’s serve in the fourth game which saw both of them reach deuce five times before the latter succumbed. There was no stopping Soha from that point as she just marched away with the set and the match.  “I am happy to win my third singles title of the season. I didn’t expect it to be a three-setter but luckily I found my rhythm when I needed the most,” said Soha who has just graduated in Commerce from Mount Carmels College.

Results (Seedings in pre-fix, States in brackets)

Women’s singles (Final)

1-Soha Sadiq (KAR) bt 3-Akanksha Nitture (MAH) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.