By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Abhishek Bastola and Abhilasha Bista have emerged as the champions of the 9th Citizens Bank Open Tennis Tournament in Kathmandu.
The tournament’s main category had separate events for men and women, where Abhishek and Abhilasha won their respective titles.
Abhishek defeated Hrithik Rana in straight sets of 6-0 and 6-1 in the men’s final held at the National Sports Council (NSC) tennis court in Tripureshwar on Monday. Similarly, In the women’s final, Abhilasha defeated Mahika Rana in straight sets of 6-4 and 6-4. Both champions pursed NRs. 50,000 while the runners-up were rewarded with NRs. 25,000.
In the veteran over 45 men’s doubles, Chandra Shahi and Devendra Shrestha clinched the title by defeating Sudarshan Bista and Raju Chhetri 5-7, 6-1, and 10-5 in the final. Krishnaraj Ghale and Suvarna Dhakwa became the champions in men’s doubles over 55 years by registering a comfortable 6-0 and 6-2 victory over Kamal Thapa and Chyamba Dundup in the final.
Jeevan Ghimire emerged as the winner of veteran men’s singles over 55 years, defeating Jeet Pradhan 6-2 and 6-3 in the final. Mahesh Shrestha won gold in the over-45 men’s, defeating Rohit Sunuwar 6-4, 4-6, and 10-5 in the final.
In the mixed doubles event, Pradeep Khadka and Mahika Rana emerged as the winners, while Kamal Bahadur Bhandari won the over 35 men’s singles. Former national champion Jitendra Periyar and Suvarna Dhaqua won the men’s doubles over 35 years, and Kamal Thapa won the men’s singles over 65 years.
Cash prizes were distributed among the top three finishers in each event, with a total of Rs 5 lakh 42 thousand 500 being distributed.
NSC member-secretary Tanklal Ghising, Citizens Bank president Rajansingh Bhandari, Nepal Tennis Association president Jyoti Rana, Nepal Tennis Association general secretary Manohardas Mul, and the president of Kathmandu District Tennis Association rewarded the winners.
