Zeel wins singles, doubles' title in ITF tournament

AHMEDABAD: India's top under-18 tennis player Zeel Desai, who belongs to Ahmedabad, lived up to her top billing as she captured the singles and doubles gold medals in the ITF (International Tennis Federation) 18 & Under South Circuit League 3 Tennis Tournament that concluded in Harare, Zimbabwe recently.
In the singles final, top seed Zeel got the better of Lulu Radovcic of Switzerland - also her doubles partner - 6-4, 6-2 to win the title.After a bit of a fight in the first set, Zeel just romped past her doubles' mate in the second to seal the deal.
Earlier, the 17-year-old brushed aside Zara Lennon of Mauritius 6-3, 6-1 in the first round, followed by a facile 6-3, 6-2 win over Hala Fouad of Egypt in the pre-quarterfinals. She then overcame eight-seeded Mai Napatt Nirundorn of Thailand 7-6 (3), 6-1 in the quarter-final. Zeel booked her final berth after she thrashed fifth-seeded Kacie Harvey of USA 6-0, 6-1 in the semi-final.
It was double joy for the city girl as she clinched her second gold medal in the doubles tie alongside partner Lulu.
In an easy final, the top-seeded pair defeated fourth seed duo of Akansha Bhan of India and Mai Napatt 6-3, 6-1 for the title.
In earlier rounds, the duo eased past pairing of Willa Bay Breunich of USA and Zara 6-0, 6-0 in the first round. The champions then beat South African pair of Margo Landmann and Minette Van Vreden 6-0, 6-3 before defeating duo, India's Aaliya Ebrahim and Israel's Kristin Younes, 6-0, 6-1 in the semi-final.