MUSCAT: Shlok Ail and Rafaella Saa stole the limelight on the concluding day of the ISC-Muscat Pharmacy Open Junior tennis tournament organised by the Indian Social Club Oman, with Shlok capturing the boys under-18 singles title and Rafaella winning the girls under-18 crown. It was Shlok’s biggest victory at the ISC when he upset top seed Yash Tanna in the final to claim the boys under-18 title with a brilliant 6-3, 6-4 victory. Yash and Shlok exchanged breaks early in the first set before Shlok wrested the initiative with brilliant strokes on both flanks to win the first set. Shlok gained the upper-hand in the second set and led 4-2 before Yash rallied to level at 4-all. After five deuces, Shlok broke Yash in the ninth game to gain the crucial break and served out for the match.
The final of the girls under-18 final was far more thrilling with defending champion Rafaella Saa having to battle hard for victory over Omani prospect Maryam al Balushi. Rafaella and Maryam played positive attacking tennis as the match went to the wire before Rafaella claimed victory with a 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 10-8 verdict. Moosa al Hinai, Board Member of Oman Tennis Association, graced the finals and distributed the prizes to the winners in the presence of ISC Chairman Dr Sathish Nambiar, Mohan Kannan of Muscat Pharmacy and Percy Pereira of Supa Sportsman. ISC Sports Secretary Imtiaz Usman thanked the organising committee and the volunteers for their support and lauded the support extended by Oman Tennis Association to the ISC. He also congratulated the Oman Davis Cup team for its brilliant victory.
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