Desai fails to cross final hurdle at Qatar Open TT

New Delhi, February 23, 2014: Tristan Flore of France won the Under 21 Men’s Singles title beating India's Harmeet Desai at the $3.5 million ITTF World Tour Qatar Open in Doha on Saturday night. 

In a contest between two players who were not seeded and had been required to negotiate the qualification stages of the competition, Tristan Flore downed Desai in straight sets of 11-9, 11-5, 11-8, 11-4.

The good form of Desai deserted him at the cruicial final where he was meeting the French for the first time in his career. But the Indian was struggling against his rival who began cautiously the wrap the first game with the minimum points. But having sized up his opponent in good measure, the French was up to the task in the second as he went on rampage to dispose of Desai quickly. 

Probably, the second game helped Flore with more confidence as he shut down Desai, who showed glimpses of his fighting qualities as he did during the Patna senior nationals against Sharath Kamal, when the Indian netted one at a crucial juncture. The French man did not waste time in the fourth game as he simply pounded winners after winners to romp home with the title and a big prize purse.

Desai, however, earned handsomely for his effort even as he admitted to having committing several unforced errors during the final. "I employed the same strategy as I did against my opponent in the semifinals. But Flore was too good on the day," he said.

A TTFI Press release