Ghosh, Manika labour for TT titles

National champion Soumyajit Ghosh stamped his authority to beat his PSPB colleague Harmeet Desai 4-2 to win the men’s singles final in the 45th All India Institutional Table Tennis Championships at the Thyagraj Stadium here on Sunday.

The women’s crown went to Delhi’s Manika Batra who beat Ankita Das 4-1. The two winners collected prize purses of Rs.75,000 and Rs.58,000, respectively. 

Ghosh had to overcome a stubborn Desai. Ghosh, who lost the final to G. <g data-gr-id="19">Sathiyan</g> last year at the same venue, managed to put it across Desai, who led 1-0. But once Ghosh made it 2-1, it seemed difficult for Desai. Yet, the Gujarat lad came back in the fourth game, giving a glimpse of returning to his <g data-gr-id="20">semifinal</g> form. However, Ghosh had other ideas and in the sixth game, after saving six match points, won on the seventh to sew up the title. This is Ghosh’s third institutional title. He won his first at Kolkata in 2011 and the second at Dharwad in 2013.

It was Manika’s second singles title, coming after three years.