Ali, Ram set sight for double

Rustom Ali (L) and Biplob Ram are all smiles after ensuring their final berths in the Prime Bank ATF under-14 Tennis Tournament at the National Tennis Complex yesterday. Photo: Courtesy

Bangladeshi boys continued to upstage their more illustrious opponents to book their places in both singles and doubles finals of the Prime Bank ATF under-14 Tennis Tournament at the National Tennis Complex in Ramna yesterday.
In the singles semifinals, Rustom Ali of Bangladesh overcame the challenge of Dhankar Shaurya of India 6-3, 7-6 while another local boy Biplob Ram had little trouble ousting another Indian Prananv Malhotra 6-4, 6-0 to set up a all-Bangladesh final. This is the first time that Bangladeshi players have made it to the final of an under-14 ATF tournament.
Rustom Ali later teamed up with his singles opponent Dhankar to beat the Bangladeshi pair of Delwar Hossain and Tanjir Ahmed 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 to move into the doubles final.
Biplob Ram also set his sight for a double like Rustom when he made it to the doubles final. Ram and Jamil Bhuiyan beat their Indian counterparts Mehrotra Raghav and Malhotra Pranav 7-6,7-5 in a tough semifinal.
In the girls singles, Ka Man Carin of Hong Kong beat India's Shambhavi Dixith 6-4, 6-2 while Moulika Ram of India beat Hong Kong's Bi Han Lily to set up a final showdown.
Both the boys and girls singles finals will be held today at 3:30 pm at the same venue. State Minister for Youth and Sports Ahad Ali Sarkar will grace the closing ceremony as chief guest.