Published: October 24, 2026 at 5:14 pm
Rayaan Vepakomma won the boys’ singles title, while Nishitha Reddy AR bagged a double at the ATF Under-12 Grade B (South Asia) Tennis Tournament which was conducted at the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy in Hyderabad on Saturday.
The boys’ singles final turned out to be a thrilling affair with Rayaan overcoming a fighting Darsh Malhan in three sets 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-0 to win the title.
Darsh began the game on the front foot as he managed to keep Rayaan under check. With both players dishing out their best, the set was a closely fought one but Darsh kept his nose ahead to clinch the set 7-5.
However, Rayaan turned the tables in the second set, which was a much intensely fought one. With nothing much to separate the players, the winner was decided after a tie-break. Rayaan won the second set 7-6(5) to take the final to the third and final set.
Rayaan Vepakomma (left) and Darsh Malkhan with their trophies at the ATF Under-12 Grade B (South Asia) Tennis Tournament which was conducted at the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy in Hyderabad on Saturday
The final set turned out to be anti-climax as Darsh seemed to have lost the stomach to put up a fight. He simply caved into Rayaan’s onslaught and the latter took the set 6-0 and the title.
The semifinals too were intense affairs with both the games going to three sets. Rayaan defeated Aarav Bhatia 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(2) and Darsh Malhan overcoming Rivaan Parmar 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(2).
Darsh, however, had the satisfaction of winning the doubles title in the company of Rivaan. The duo defeated Bhargav Midatada and Lakshit Pothina with relative ease 6-1, 6-3.
Nishitha hands out Ahana a double bagel
The girls’ singles final was a totally lopsided match with Nishitha Reddy handing out a double bagel to Ahana Das. Nishitha proved more than a handful for Ahana, who had no answer to her opponent’s court craft. Nishitha Reddy won the title with a 6-0, 6-0 thrashing of Ahana.
In the semifinals, Nishitha got past Kaashvi Konanki without much ado as she carved out a 6-2, 6-2 victory. Ahana, on the other hand, found the going not so easy but she had enough ammunition in her arsenal to overcome Aarya Kulkarni 6-4, 6-3.
Nishitha Reddy AR (right) and Ahana Das with their trophies
In the doubles final, Nishitha Reddy and Ahana Das defeated Kaashvi Konanki and V Krishnamohan in straight sets. The duo won 6-4, 6-3.
Results: Boys’ singles final: Rayaan Vepakomma beat Darsh Malhan 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-0. Semifinals: Rayaan Vepakomma beat Aarav Bhatia 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(2); Darsh Malhan beat Rivaan Parmar 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(2).
Boys’ doubles final: Rivaan Parmar / Darsh Malhan beat Bhargav Midatada / Lakshit Pothina 6-1, 6-3. Semifinals: Rivaan Parmar / Darsh Malhan beat Nischal Kanikarapu / Saharsh Gokul 6-0, 6-3; Bhargav Midatada / Lakshit Pothina beat Puneeth Byreddy / Charan Patnala 6-4, 6-4.
Rishabh overcomes Rohith for title, Harsha cruises to victory in women’s final at SMTA
Girls’ singles final: Nishitha Reddy AR beat Ahana Das 6-0, 6-0. Semifinals: Nishitha Reddy AR beat Kaashvi Konanki 6-2, 6-2; Ahana Das beat Aarya Kulkarni 6-4, 6-3.
Girls’ doubles final: Ahana Das / Nishitha Reddy A R beat Kaashvi Konanki / V Krishnamohan 6-4, 6-3. Semifinals: Ahana Das / Nishitha Reddy beat Chethana Shree Chowki / Khiana Shah 6-0, 6-3; Kaashvi Konanki / V Krishnamohan beat Aarya Kulkarni / Aanaa Chheda 6-4, 6-0.
