Thursday 25 / April / 2024
Muscat: R. Gopalakrishnan won the veterans’ singles title at the ISC/Al-Tasnim Enterprises Open Table Tennis Tournament organised by the Indian Social Club Oman.
Gopalakrishnan made the most of his last-minute inclusion with brilliant performances which included an upset victory over defending champion George Lopez in the quarter-final before downing Zainhom Sheta in the semi-final.
In the title clash, Gopalakrishnan raced to a 3-0 lead but lost his way in the fourth game before holding on to overcome seasoned campaigner Nitin Vaidya 11-6, 11-7, 11-8, 11-13, 11-9. Gopalakrishnan was on course leading 8-2 in the fourth game before Nitin staged a brilliant act of recovery. He clawed back to 10-all and held his nerves to win the game.
Nitin kept up the fight in the fifth game but Gopalakrishnan held on to his lead to capture the veterans’ singles title. Nitin had earlier upset third seed Marconi Leonardo in the semi-final with 11-8, 11-6, 13- 11, 9-11, 11-1 verdict.
