Adithi, Sree Sharan reigns in Hyderabad leg

Hyderabad: Adithi Are and Laxmi Sahiti Reddy beat some of the best junior talents of the city to win the Talent Day in under-18 category and joined the Finecab Hyderabad Strikers and Bengaluru Hawks respectively in the 2nd Tennis Premier League to be held at the Celebration Sports Club, Mumbai from December 12-15.

In the Boys U-14 category, Vibhu Challagundla (Bengaluru Hawks) and Sree Sharan Kanugovi (Finecab Hyderabad Strikers) emerged victorious.

The talent day was played in a Super Tie Break Knockout format. The first player to reach 10 points with a 2 point gap advanced to the next round.

Conducted Women U-18 and Men U-14 competitions for Hyderabad and Bangalore cities.

The organisers said that the Hyderabad leg of the TPL Talent day witnessed the highest number of participation with over 180 registrations compared to Mumbai and Ahmedabad with only 120 and 150 players enrolling for the event.

For the first time the four-day TPL will also witness the participation of eight wheelchair players with two of them from Hyderabad and the other major highlight is that the Premier League will be covered live by Sony and Sony ESPN.

Sharing her joy with The Hans India, Adithi Are who has won six titles in All India Tennis Association tourneys said: "I am glad that now I am a part of the Tennis Premier League.

The Talend day competition was challenging and I hope to come out with flying colours in Mumbai."

Founded by Ex-National Player KunalThakkur and Actor/Entrepreneur Mrunal Jain, the 2nd edition is scheduled to be bigger and better with top sporting personalities and movie stars like Leander Paes, Sonali Bendre, RakulPreet and Aditi Rao Hydari getting involved as co-owners.

The talent day was conducted for the Girls U-18 and Boy's U-14 categories and played in a knockout format. The winner and runners-up from both categories will play for the Bengaluru Hawks and Finecab Hyderabad Strikers and rub shoulders with top stars like Vishnu Vardhan, Prajwal Dev, Mohit Mayur and Riya Bhatia.

Four-time national champion Vishnu Vardhan who is a part of the Bengaluru Hawks said: "While the event started small they have taken a huge jump in the 2nd edition by inviting the top players of the country.

I am happy that Indian's are getting an opportunity through such tournament ". When asked about the tennis in Hyderabad he added "We need to get more youngsters involved in the game and we need to get better infrastructure and grassroots program to support local players."

All participants of the Talent Day were given a T-Shirt, medal and two complimentary event passes. The winners and runners-up Girls U-18 were given a cash prize of Rs 20,000 while the Boy's U-14 were awarded 10,000 each for their efforts. The stay and food of the players selected for the Tennis Premier League will be free, the organisers said.

Brij Gopal Bhutada, MD, Finecab wires and cables said, "Hyderabad has produced great champions like Sania Mirza, We at Finecab cables and wires are always willing to support good initiatives and through Tennis Premier League.

We wish to support the top players of Hyderabad along with the promising upcoming junior's. We are looking forward to making the Finecab Hyderabad Strikers one of the strongest teams of TPL".