Banthia keeps alive Indian challenge in Asian Juniors singles

Fourth-seeded Local boy Siddhant Banthia was the lone Indian player still in the hunt in the singles after making it to the boys semi-finals of the 2nd HCL Asian B1 Junior Tennis Championship here on Thursday.

Banthia got the better of compatriot Dev Javia 7-6 (5)7-5 in the quarter finals to earn a shot at top seed Dostanbek Tashbulatov of Kazakstan on Friday for a place in the finals.

The Kazakh boy was given a fright by his sixth-seeded Indian rival Sacchitt Sharrma before prevailing 6-4 2-6 6-4 in another quarter final tie at the Deccan Gymkhana courts.

Two other Indians fell by the wayside in quarter final contests against overseas players.

Third seed Seon Yong Han of Korea subdued Indian opponent Mann Shah 6-0 6-4 in 70 minutes to earn a face-off in the semis against second seed Sergey Fomin of Uzbekistan who powered past seed number 5 Megh Bhargav Patel of India 6-2 6-1.

Top seed Hong Yi Cody Wong of Hong Kong, third seed Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand, number