BHUBANESWAR 15-Dec-2013 188
Satirtha Patnaik overcame a punishing schedule and hazardous courts to bag a double in the 15th All-Odisha Nalco Open Tennis Tournament, which concluded at Kalinga Stadium here today. A successful dentist by profession, 35-year-old Satirtha played 12 matches in two days before winning his two titles in men`s singles and open doubles categories.
He slipped and fell badly, bruising his hand and leg on the dangerous courts, but was lucky to escape a major injury to win his singles final against friend-and-foe Ajay Nishank. The duo earlier grabbed the doubles crown, defeating Santosh Mallik and Vivek Tibarewal in the final.
Local school students Alisha Samal, Avilash Mishra and Kabir Hans emerged singes champions in women`s, under-16 and under-12 boys` categories respectively. Footballer-turned-tennis-player Biranchi Narayan Mohanty also claimed a double by winning titles in 45-plus and 55-plus veteran doubles events.
