Diya Chitale stuns top seed to emerge U-10 champion

Diya Chitaleu00a0defeated top seed Vidhi Shah of Jamnabai Narsee (Juhu) to win her first Girls' U-10 title at the University Pavilion, Marine Lines on Saturday. Diya prevailed 1-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-7 in the summit clash.

Diya Chitale in action during the MSSA U-10 inter-school table tennis final at the University Pavilion on Saturday. Pic/Suresh KK

Diya didn't have a great start losing the first game 1-11, but the nine-year-old held her nerve and came back to win the next three games. Diya's forehand smashes and deceptive serves kept her in good stead against the top seed. Vidhi admitted she was not at her best and committed a host of errors that cost here the match and title.

Diya said the victory was special as she only recently recovered from a fractured right hand last month and actually played the tournament against the doctor's advice. "I was itching to get back to table tennis after my accident. I wasn't sure if I would even make it to the final of this tournament," Diya told MiD DAY.
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