HINDUSTAN TIMES - Friday, Nov 1, 2002

Appearances can be deceptive. More so in the case of Sanam Singh. The diminutive Chandigarh lad came across as one not interested in winning. His casual approach and languid style only lent credence to the view.

But there was no mistaking Sanam's commitment and determination. Pitted against top seed Rupesh Roy, Sanam showed his fighting qualities before posting an 7-6 (7-0), 6-0 upset win to enter the final in the under 16 section of the DSCL Sub junior National tennis championships on Friday.

In the other semi-final, Delhi lad Divij Sharan continued his fine run, putting it across eighth seed Vishnu Vardhan 7-5, 6-2. There were more glad tidings for Sanam as he made it to the final of the under 14 section, posting a 6-2, 6-4 win over Kaushik Raju.

In the girls under-16, unseeded Madura Ranganathan scalped third seed Preethi to make it to the final. She will take on Oormila Ram who brushed aside Shweta 6-3, 6-1. Rupesh Roy started the match as if he was in a hurry to enter the final. Training at the Paes En Sport Academy in Kolkata, he held his serve at love, and then proceeded to break Sanam in the very next game.

Rupesh jumped to a 3-1 lead and his serves and thundering forehands proved too much for Sanam to handle. Just when it seemed Rupesh was in control, Sanam showcased his fighting qualities.

Keeping the ball away from Rupesh's forehand, Sanam made the former move all over. He hit slow, high balls, denying Rupesh the pace.

These tactics stood Sanam in good stead as he went on to break Rupesh in the fourth game. Games went with serve till the tie-breaker. Once there, a pumped up Sanam did not concede a point as he won 7-0.

Results (all semi finals):

• Boys under-16 Divij Sharan b Vishnu Vardhan 7-5, 6-2; Sanam Singh b Rupesh Roy 7-6, (7-0), 6-0.
• Boys under-14: Sanam Singh b Kaushik Raju 6-2, 6-4; RK Parveen b Angel Gladwin 6-3, 6-1.
• Girls under-16: Oormila Ram b GK Shweta 6-3, 6-1; Madura Ranganathan b S Preethi 7-5, 6-4.
• Girls under 14: GK Shweta b Gayatri Krishnan 6-3, 6-2; Madura Ranganathan b Neena Sharma 6-0, 6-2.