Keshav Pathak/Pokhara Sports/ Nepal’s top seed Saloni Tamang move to the women’s singles final of the 18th Machhapuchhre Bank Pokhara Open & Veterans Tennis Tournament held at Pokhara Stadium organized by Kaski District Tennis Association (KDTA) on Tuesday,
Nepals’ No. 1 player Saloni defeated Sharbani Shrestha 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 to entered the final. Similarly, Ganga Sharma defeated Bhagwati BK 6-2, 6-2 in straight sets to meet With Saloni in the Final.
In the men’s singles, Nepal’s top seed Pranab Khanal and second seed Pradip Khadka reached the semifinals. Pranab defeated Bishnu Nepali of Pokhara 4-6, 6-6, 6-2 while Pradip easily defeated Govinda Nepali of Pokhara 6-1, 6-4 to make it to the last four. Similarly, Aki Juben Rawat defeated Nishan Shrestha 7-6, 6-1 & Arav Samrat Hada defeated Nehal Jung Thapa 6-2, 6-0 to reach the semifinals. In the semifinals match, Pranav will face Arav and Pradip with Aki.
Niraj Thapa, Dawaa Sherpa, Bhishma Gurung, and Santosh Khatri have made it to the last four in the men’s singles over 35 categories. Niraj defeated Simanta Gurung 6-3, 6-3, Dawaa defeated Sanjay Kumar Shrestha 6-1, 6-2, Bhishma defeated Navin Shrestha 6-1, 6-1, and Santosh defeated Jitendra Pariyar 4-6, 7-6, and by 10-3 in the super tie match. Niraj will compete with Bhishma and Dawaa with Santosh to reach the final.
In the men’s doubles 35+category, Kamal Bhandari and Yagya Bhandari will compete with Raju Chhetri and Sudarshan Bista for the title. The Bhandari duo defeated Simanta Gurung and Bhishma Gurung 6-7, 6-1, 10-3, and the Raju duo defeated Rajan Poudel and Navin Shrestha of Pokhara 6-2, 6-2 to enter the final.
Chandra Shahi, Uttam Lama, Binod Kayastha, and Bimal Gurung have reached the semifinals in the men’s singles 45+category. Chandra defeated Dharam Bahadur Lamichhane 6-2, 6-3, Uttam defeated Uttam Bogati 6-1, 6-0 in straight sets. In another match played today, Bimal defeated Hum Ale 6-2, 6-1 in straight sets.
