BHUBANESWAR 23-Jun-2019
Odisha shuttler Rutaparna Panda added yet another jewel to her crown, winning the womens doubles title with new partner Gayatri Gopichand at the Yonex-Sunrise All-India Senior Ranking Tournament in Hyderabad today.
An inmate of Hyderabad-based Gopichand Badminton Academy, Rutaparna and Gayatri clinched the title, defeating fourth seeds and reigning national champions Shikha Gautam and Ashwini Bhat K, 19-21, 21-14, 21-10 in the 72-minute-long final match
Daughter of former All England champion Pullela Gopichand, Gayatri went on to bag a double in the tournament, winning the womens singles crown with a 21-19, 21-16 win over Tanvi Lad.
Sixth seed Lakshya Sen staved off a stiff resistance from second seed Rahul Yadav Chittaboina to triumph in mens singles. The mens doubles title was claimed by top seeds Krishna Prasad Garaga and Dhruv Kapila who did not drop a game to record a 23-21, 21-17 win over seventh seeds Sri Krishna Sai Kumar Podile and Gouse Shaik.
Shaik, however, amended for his mistakes in the mixed doubles category. The seventh-seeded pair of Shaik and Mayuri Yadav fought for 50 minutes to register a thrilling 21-19, 13-21, 21-12 win over Krishna Prasad and Ashwini Bhat.
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PHOTO: Rutaparna Panda (Left) with Gayatri Gopichand in Hyderabad on 23 June 2019.