Gurgaon Sapphires made history in the Harven Pro Tennis League (PTL) by winning back-to-back titles, defeating Ichiban Samurai 81-56 in the final at the DLTA Complex in New Delhi. Ichiban Samurai suffered their first loss of the season in the title clash, while Gurgaon Sapphires maintained their powerful run despite losing the first match of the tie. The team entered the final after a thumping 81-64 win over Sankara Stag Babolat Yoddhas, while Ichiban Samurai narrowly edged Paramount Proec Tigers 81-75.
The final was a one-way traffic in favor of Gurgaon Sapphires after Sahaja Yamalapalli gave Ichiban Samurai a winning start over former National champion Sharmada Balu. Next Gen men’s player Rushil Khosla kept the momentum with a win over Maan Keshwarwani, but Gurgaon Sapphires bounced back with Ruma Gaikaiwari, Balu, and Suresh Krishna winning their matches. Rithvik Choudhary extended the lead with a win in the men’s singles match, and Balu and Gaikaiwari sealed the victory with a resounding win in the women’s doubles match.
Gurgaon Sapphires led by a staggering 20 points and secured the title with an ace out wide from the team of Choudhary and Kesharwani in the seventh match. The league once again brought the best players – past and present – to the tennis court and gave the youngsters an opportunity to rub shoulders with their more experienced colleagues.
Ruma Gaikaiwari of Gurgaon Sapphires was awarded ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the NextGen Women’s Pro category, while Ichiban Samurai’s Rushil Khosla was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the NextGen Men’s Pro category. Sahaja Yamalapalli of Ichiban Samurai won the ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the Women’s Pro category, while Gurgaon Sapphires’ Rithvik Choudhary clinched the ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the Men’s Pro category. Suresh Krishna of Gurgaon Sapphires was awarded ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the Masters Pro category.
League’s co-owner Aditya Khanna expressed satisfaction with the fifth season of Pro Tennis League and its growth. Harven Realtors LLC, the league’s first-time partners, expressed plans to make the league global and expand to different countries. Seema Singhal, Harven’s Founder Chairman, congratulated Gurgaon Sapphires on playing the tournament in the right spirit and deserving the win in the end.
