Home challenger Ashutosh Singh and China's Peng Sun posted upset victories to set up a men's singles summit clash at the US $10,000 ITF tournament, in Delhi, on Friday.
In the semi-finals, unseeded Ashutosh defeated Chinese Davis Cupper Yu Jr Wang 6-4, 6-4, while Sun accounted for top seed Aqeel Khan of Pakistan 7-6(6), 7-6(6) at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association Complex.
Ashutosh broke Wang in the first game but conceded his serve in the next.
Both the players held serve in the next four games before Ashutosh cashed in on a second break-point in the seventh game and held in the next to take 5-3 lead.
After the Wang held in the ninth game, the Indian confidently served out the next game to take the set.
In the second set, Ashutosh unleashed powerful returns to break Wang in the fifth game and went up 3-2. Games went with serve thereafter before the Ashutosh clinshed the issue in an hour and 42 minutes.
A delighted Ashutosh said the conditions suited him and helped avenge a defeat to Wang in China.
"The win was important as Wang had beaten me in his country (in 2005). He is a good player but conditions here suited my game, as the ball was coming fast," said the 24-year-old, son of former Davis Cupper Balram Singh.
The other semi-final was a gruelling contest. Both players were unrelenting, resulting in long rallies.
Khan came back every time Sun looked like taking away the match from him. But the Chinese emerged winner because of better control and less unforced errors.
© 2024 Rediff.com -