Prerana Koirala of Nepal and Garv Bahl of India claimed the singles titles of the ANLTA Asian Circuit One U-14 Junior Ranking Championship at Satdobato Tennis Courts on Thursday. 

Koirala eased to a 6-2, 6-1 win over Rayana Shah in the all-Nepal title clash for her maiden girls’ singles title recognised by Asian Tennis Federation (ATF). The physically superior 14-year old never seemed to be trouble by her compatriot. 

“It was a comfortable victory,” said the 10th grader of Ideal English School who had lost in the singles semi-finals of same tournament last year. “It gives me immense pleasure to win the first Circuit title but I didn’t find any opponents tough,” added Koirala who started her tennis career since last three years.

Koirala currently sits 33rd in the ATF girl’s U-14 ranking and the latest outcome 

will have big impact on the ranking at the Asian level. The winner of both the category will earn 100 points in the rankings. Koirala held personal best of 14th position in the ATF rankings in January 2016. The victory in the tournament is likely to elevate her to 21st position in the rankings.

In the boys’ section Bahl of India saw off local challenge Aadit Subedi. The Indian player raced to a 6-3, 6-3 win to silence handful of home supporters. The tournament featured 16 players each in both boys’ and girl’s sections from India and Nepal. According to All Nepal Lawn Tennis Association, the singles winners would have earned 200 points each if 32 players were registered for the tournament. “There are very few tennis players in the country but the number is on the rise,” said ANLTA president Jyoti Rana.