Tennis

Dev Javia, a rising star in Indian tennis, displayed resilience and determination to overcome a 1-4 deficit in the deciding set and defeat national champion Rethin Pranav 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the first round of the $25,000 ITF men's tennis tournament in Chennai.Javia, known for his left-handed prowess, started the match strongly, winning the first set 6-4. However, Pranav fought back in the second set, taking it 6-4. The decider was a tense affair, with both players trading blows. Javia found himself down 1-4 but refused to give up.With a combination of powerful serves and precise groundstrokes, Javia clawed his way back into the match. He broke Pranav's serve in the ninth game, despite being up 40-0, and held his own serve to level the set at 4-4.In the crucial final game, Javia's nerves held firm as he broke Pranav's serve once again to seal the victory. This triumph marks a significant milestone in Javia's career, as he continues to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with on the international tennis circuit.Javia will now face the winner of the match between top seed Khumoyun Sultanov of Uzbekistan and Adil Kalyanpur in the second round. The tournament, which is being held at the MSLTA Complex, features a strong field of players from around the world.

Rethin Pranav, a 17-year-old tennis prodigy from Chennai, overcame bouts of cramps and a formidable opponent to clinch the men's title at the Fenesta National Tennis Championship. In a thrilling three-set battle, Rethin defeated Nitin Kumar Sinha 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, showcasing remarkable composure and resilience.Despite being drained of energy, Rethin displayed unwavering determination, sipping water between points to stay hydrated. His sharp shots and patience in rallies proved too much for Sinha, who had toyed with him midway through the match.Rethin's victory was a testament to his perseverance and the power of belief. He had initially lost the third and final qualifying round but was fortunate to receive a lucky-loser spot in the main draw. This opportunity proved to be a turning point in his tournament journey.In the women's final, Vaidehi Chaudhari, the 2022 champion, faced off against 15-year-old qualifier Maaya Rajeshwaran. Chaudhari's experience and consistency proved too strong for Maaya, who despite her impressive run in the tournament, was unable to find her rhythm in the final.The under-18 boys' title went to Aradhya Kshitij, who overcame stiff competition from Shanker Heisnam in a closely contested match. In the under-18 girls' category, Prisha Shinde recovered from the brink of defeat to beat Diya Ramesh, showcasing her fighting spirit and determination.Rethin's victory marks a significant milestone in Indian tennis, as he becomes the first lucky-loser to win a national championship title. His triumph is a testament to the depth of talent in Indian tennis and the importance of never giving up on one's dreams.