The Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2021 witnessed the finals of the veteran’s category as the tournament continues with the men’s singles, women’s singles, and other age group categories.
Venkata Narayana Murthy won the Veteran Singles 45+ finals in a thrilling match against Ashutosh Pednekar (6-4, 6-2). With the tennis fans gathered on court one, Venkata Narayana Murthy ran away with the first set 6-4 but could not sustain the momentum he had. The final set went on to 6-2 in favor of Venkata as he sealed the victory to claim his title.
The Veteran Singles 55+ category saw Bhushan Akut take on Ajeet Bhardwaj on the main court. All through the tournament Bhushan has been in sublime form and continued to show the same in the finals. Bhushan Akut raced the better of Ajeet Bhardwaj (6-3). Bhushan Akut had a fantastic tournament as he paired with Vinayak Gujarati to wing the Veteran Doubles 120+ (combined age) category against Rafiq Khotu and Merwyn Fernandes. They had an outstanding game in the first set wherein the second set Merwyn retired as he got injured in the 2nd set. Bhushan & Vinayak were leading with one set.
In the Veteran Singles 60+ category, Rafiq Khotu won over Ajeet Bhardwaj (6-3,6-7,17-15) in straight sets. Whereas in Veteran Doubles 90+ category (combined age) the dynamic duo Prashant Sutar and Ajit Sail won against V. Murthy and Ramesh (6-1,6-0). The evening also saw an outstanding performance for Veteran 110+ category (combined age) finals where Annamalai and Jeyaram won against Sanjay Kumar and Ketan Bedekar in straight sets (6-1,3-6,10-6).
Edwin de Menezes, Secretary, Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Rajesh Khaunte, President, Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Arjun Gadre, Owner, Gadre Groups, Rajendra Godinho, Secretary, Goa State Tennis Association (GSTA), gave away the trophies to the winners at the award ceremony held immediately after the finals.
Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2021 commenced with over 500 entries coming in across eight categories. The tournament is being organized by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Goa’s first tennis club in partnership with Goa State Tennis Association (GSTA) and Gadre Premium Seafood.
Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2021 is the sixth edition and has been an annual fixture on the state’s tennis calendar. Spread over ten days, matches are scheduled from 7.00 am through the day right until 10:00 PM in the evening. The finals will be held on 31st January 2021.
The committee is taking all COVID-19 related safety measures. A maximum of four players will be allowed on the court at all times while spectators and parents are prohibited from entering the court. Sanitization of the facility and equipment will be conducted on a regular basis.