Hat-tricks by Ansu, Rutu as Nalco Open turns Nalco Close

Local favourites Ansu Kumar Bhuyan and Rutuparna Choudhury achieved rare hat-tricks in the 18th All Odisha Nalco Open Tennis Tournament, which was held amidst controversy here at Kalinga Stadium from Dec 9 to 11. Ansu won both the men’s singles and doubles titles for the third year in a row to clinch what was a hat-trick of double crowns.

Ansu won the doubles title with senior player Satirtha Patnaik as partner and then completed the double by beating doubles partner Patnaik in singles summit clash. Rutuparna emerged women’s singles champion for the third successive year. The boys’ under-12 and under-16 titles were claimed by Yashraj Nayak and Asish Kumar Sinha respectively. This was the maiden title for Yashraj, who is a disciple of top coach Subhranshu Charan Sarangi.