Bharath Latheesh was crowned champion in the boys’ singles Under-11 category in the ongoing India Club UAE Open Badminton tournament.

Latheesh shrugged off a determined challenge from Aman Sengupta to prevail in two straight game 21-16, 21-17. In the boys’ singles Under-13, a couple of semifinalists were determined.

In the first quarter-final, Stefan Binu beat Ryan George 21-19, 21-15, while Latheesh progressed to the semis in the higher age category by beating Hiraan Rasi 21-5, 21-16. In the solitary girls’ singles U11 match, Madhumitha Sundarapandian got the better of Shreya Binesh 21-9, 21-13.

Several matches were played in the girls’ singles U13 category with only Irene Elsa Alexander stretched to three games by Mishti Bradoo.

Elsa lost the first game 14- 21, but stormed back to win the next two 21-10, 21-8. In other matches, Ranitha Rajith defeated Rishitha Rajith 21- 10, 21-12, while Devika Pillai beat Nayonika Rajesh 21-19, 21-18 in a well-fought encounter.

Nidhi Desai did not face much trouble against Sparsha Shetty, winning 21-6, 21-1 in a canter.