It was sweet home coming and delight for the local lad and third-seed S.D. Prajwal Dev, when he staved off the challenge put up by sixth seed Ishaque Eqbal of West Bengal 6-1, 6-4 in the men’s singles final of MTC AITA men’s tennis tournament held at Mysore Tennis Club yesterday.

Prajwal Dev, who started off well by breaking his rival Ishaque’s serve in the opening game of the first set, went on to take a big 4-1 lead with another break of serve in the fifth game. Ishaque Eqbal could not get his game right, committing too many unforced errors on his back-hand and also faltering on his serve. Prajwal utilised the opportunity with some sensible tennis and impressed by executing his ground strokes well on both the flanks. He went on to break Ishaque’s serve in the seventh game and took the first set 6-1 easily in 30 minutes.

The second set saw a more determined Ishaque, who served well and also executed his ground strokes to a nicety. The games went on with serves (2-2), but in the sixth game, Prajwal Dev broke Ishaque serve by executing two good forehand cross-court winners to lead 4-2.

Ishaque fought back instantly by breaking Prajwal’s serve in the seventh game with some excellent back-hand down-the line winners. He held serve in the next game to level at 4-4. Prajwal held his serve in the ninth game and lead 5-4 and in the next game broke his rival’s serve when it mattered most and went on take the set and the match at 6-4 with a forehand winner in a tie which lasted for 75 minutes.

The winner took home a cash prize of Rs.13,000 and a trophy while Ishaque received Rs.9000 and a trophy as well. In the men’s doubles final, Ihsan Hussain Mahmood and Fahad Mohammed of Tamil Nadu combined well to beat Ishque Eqbal (WB) & Shaik Osama (AP) 6-4, 7-5. The prizes to the winners were given away by Dr. N.M. Srinivas, Patron of  Mysore Tennis Club.

The result: Men’s singles: Final: S.D.Prajwal Dev (Kar) bt Ishaque Eqbal (WB) 6-1, 6-4.

Doubles: Ihsan Hussain Mahmood/Fahad Mohammed (TN) bt Ishaque Eqbal (WB) & Shaik Osama (AP) 6-4, 7-5.