Hosts Bombay Gymkhana’s Rajan Samant ended the fine run of Nikhil Chari, representing Lodha Bellissimo to win a keenly contested Men’s Singles 45 final in the GD Birla Memorial Masters badminton tournament, organised by Badminton 45, managed by Badminton Gurukul at Bombay Gymkhana on Sunday.

Samant, who lost the first game 17-21, showed resilience and character in the second, prevailing 25-23 in the tough contest, which saw the lead change hands several times, as both players fought hard to gain supremacy. Samant’s superior fitness proved decisive as he cruised home quite comfortably in the decider, winning 17-21, 25-23, 21-15.