Saturday 07 / September / 2024
Muscat: Indomitable Abdullah bin Hamdi Al Barwani reigned supreme at the ISC-Muscat Pharmacy Open Junior Tennis Tournament 2016 organised by the Indian Social Club (ISC) claiming a double crown - the boys under-18 singles and the junior doubles titles.
The concluding match of the tournament lived up to its tag of the “grand finale” as Oman’s top players, Abdullah Al Barwani and Younis Al Rawahi provided the large number of tennis enthusiasts at the ISC arena a final of a very high standard with the brilliance of the two players, remarkable strokes and fluctuating fortunes.
In the final of the boys under-18 singles, top seed Abdullah Al Barwani took on second seed Younis Al Rawahi and the result was a thrilling final that went to the wire before the former overcame a one-set deficit and saved five championship points to capture the crown with a narrow 6-3, 3-6, 11-9 verdict.
It was Younis who set the early pace with brilliant serving and power-packed ground strokes. Younis and Abdullah gave out their best and exchanged breaks.
In a thrilling game, Younis held for a 5-2 lead after saving four break points. Abdullah went on the offensive and held to stay in the set. Younis faced anxious moments before serving out the first set.
Abdullah broke Younis twice in the second set and in a brilliant counter-attack, Younis also broke twice. Abdullah showed more purpose in his approach and earned the crucial break in the eighth game and served out the second set.
The third-set super tie-breaker was a cliffhanger as the performance of the country’s top two players reached its peak.
Abdullah earned the mini-break for a 3-0 lead which was short-lived as Younis pounced on every opportunity and reeled off the next seven points. Abdullah took clawed back gradually taking eveypoint on merit but was running out of luck as Younis was on the threshold of victory with five championship points at 9-5.
Abdullah hung in bravely and leveled at 9-all. A lucky net-chord gave Younis yet another match point which Abdullah saved. Abdullah earned his first match point with a brilliant forehand winner but could not convert. A brilliant serve gave Abdullah yet another match point which he converted to bring an end to the high tension drama and the boys under-18 title. Together with Younis as his partner, the duo claimed the junior doubles title.
Prizes were distributed by Salman Al Balushi, Executive Director of Oman Tennis Association, in the presence of ISC vice-chairman C.M. Sardar, Mohan Kannan of Muscat Pharmacy and other officials. The tournament was sponsored by Muscat Pharmacy & Stores LLC together with brand Pocari Sweat and Horlicks and co-sponsored by Khimji Ramdas Watches Division.
