Siddhant Banthia wins Asian junior tennis championship

Fourth-seeded local boy Banthia outplayed second-seeded Sergey Fomin Of Uzbekistan 6-1 6-4 in boys' final.

India's Siddhant Banthia and Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand emerged boys and girls singles champions at the 2nd HCL Asian B1 Junior Tennis Championship here Saturday.

Fourth-seeded local boy Banthia outplayed second-seeded Sergey Fomin Of Uzbekistan 6-1 6-4 in boys' final at the Deccan Gymkhana courts here. In the girls' title clash, third-seeded Thai player Mananchaya got the better of Priska Madelyn Nugroho of Indonesia 7-6(5), 6-3. "It was the best win in my juniors' career. I wanted to win this tournament. I lost in the finals last year.

I was confident going into matches," said Banthia after clinching the boys crown. "The semi-final and final matches were the toughest. Both the players were higher seeded players, there was pressure but I know these courts, so played accordingly," he added.

The winner got 280 ITF Points and Trophy, while runner-up got 170 points and trophy.

(With inputs from agencies.)