Divya Shrushti and Dev excel as Topspinner emerge champs

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai, June 12: Displaying a high-level of consistency, Divya Mahajan, rose to the challenge with another fine performance and with good support from young teammates, Shrushti Haleangadi and Dev Shroff, they combined effectively to help The Topspinners defeat King Pong 5-3 in the best-of-nine rubbers final and emerge champions of the Capital First-Mumbai Super League (MSL) Table Tennis Championships, organized by 11Even Sports Pvt. Ltd. under the auspices of MCDTTA and MSDTTA, and played at NSCI, Worli late on Sunday. The trio were instrumental in winning four of the five rubbers.Earlier, Blazing Basher beat High Tide by 5-3 to claim the third place 

Divya showing plenty of aggression and with her attacking style of play easily and quickly defeated Priti Bhosale of King Pong in straight games at 3-0 (11-6, 11-1, 11-6) in the women’s singles, which was the first rubber. Later, Divya in the company of Nishant Kulkarni scored over Mudit Dani and Priti Bhosale 3-1 (12-10, 11-6, 3-11, 11-5) in the mixed doubles, fourth rubber.

Earlier, Nishant had lost the second rubber going down to Mudit Dani 1-3 (10-12, 11-8, 8-11, 13-15) in the men’s singles, but Dev Shroff regained the lead (2-1) for Topspinners by putting it across Raegan Albuquerque 3-2 (11-7, 13-11, 8-11, 5-11, 11-6) in the junior boys singles tie.

After the success of the mixed doubles pair, Shrushti then increased the lead (4-1) when she pulled off a hard-fought 3-2 (6-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 11-4) win against Manasi Chiplukar in the fifth rubber, the junior girls’ singles.

Topspinners saw their lead cut down with King Pong winning the sixth and seventh rubbers. Aryan Dave lost to Havish Asrani 0-3 (3-11, 6-11, 5-11) in the cadet boys singles and then the veteran/men doubles combo of Abhay Mehta and Nishant Kulkarni were beaten by Iran Salian and Mudit Dani 2-3 (11-8, 11-9, 7-11 12-14, 5-11).

However, the duo of Dev and Shrusthi put a strong fighting performance to complete the triumph for Topspinners. They defeated Raegan Albuquerque and Manasi Chiplunkar 3-1 (6-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-4) in the junior boys and girls mixed doubles match, the eight rubber.

The Champions, The Topspinners took home Rs 1.8 lakh for their efforts, while King Pong had to be content with Rs 1.2 lakh. Blazing Bashers which finished 3rd & High Tide 4th received cash awards of Rs 70,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively.