Karteek shines in Jordan ITF tourney

Hyderabad: The city-based World No 614 in the ITF Junior rankings, G Sai Karteek Reddy is likely to gain some valuable points after he finished an impressive runner-up in the ITF Junior Grade-5 Boy's Singles (Under-18) at Jordan late Friday evening.

The Under-18 No 3 in Telangana State, Karteek, who is pursuing B Com first year at Bhavans Vivekananda College in Sainikpuri,was at his best all through the tournament where he prevailed over more fancied overseas opponents to make it to the summit clash, according to information received here.

His progress from the first round has been remarkable-Selim Khouja (Tunisia) 6-2, 6-1; Haruki Omori Cowie (Great Britain) 6-3, 6-3; Quarterfinals: Arjun Mariyappa (USA) 6-0, 7-5; Semifinals: Mohd Anouar Braham (Tunisia) 6-3, 6-3.

However, he fell short at the final hurdle while bowing out to the local favourite Abedallah Shelbayh (Jordan) 2-6, 5-7. Sport runs in his genes as his mother G Sarada Reddy is an international shuttler and father G Praveen Reddy has represented Hyderabad in cricket. ‘I’m delighted with the achievement and will hope to sustain the tempo into the future,’ said Sai Karteek.