MSSA Badminton: Rudra enters U-16 semis

Rudra Rane of IES New English (Bandra) entered the semi-finals of the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA)-organised girls under-16 badminton tournament with straight-sets 21-6, 21-8 win over Hima Mulchandani of St Gregorios High School (Goregaon) at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) courts, yesterday. Rudra, 14, played an attacking game from the start and enjoyed a comfortable 11-6 lead. After that, she went on to play some delicate drop shots and smashes to win 21-6.

Rudra Rane Pic/Akshay Jagtap

There was not much of change in the second game too, as Hima was trailing 0-7 before she won her first point. Rudra stuck to her attacking game plan before she wrapped up the second game 21-8. The match lasted for 20 minutes. Rudra will play Shivani Harlekar of Balmohan Vidyamandir English (Dadar) for the spot in the final today. Shivani beat Divya Jha of Podar International (Powai) 21-9, 21-6.