Ruthvika clinches WS Russian Open GP title while Siril settles for silver

SEEDED FOURTH, the Indian youngster Ruthvika Shivani held the edge over the unseeded Russian in the finals of Russian Open Grand Prix. She defeated Evgeniya Kosetskaya quite comfortably in straight games, 21-10, 21-13.

Great week here in Vladivostok. Won my first ever Grand Prix tittle in Russia💪Thank u everyone for ur support # champion #happyme 😊😊 pic.twitter.com/YtEa9QqDWu

— Ruthvika Shivani G (@RuthvikaS) October 9, 2016

Starting the tournament by getting a bye and then ousting compatriot Arundhati Pantawane in the second round she had a comfortable run in the tournament. She also defeated the second seed Ksenia Polikarpova in a hard-fought three game match.

The South Asian Games Gold medallist showed amazing grit and performance in Russia and has been rewarded with the title. With players like these, the future of women's singles badminton in the country is in safe hands. Another faithful disciple of coach Gopichand, she could take the baton forward laid down by the likes of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu.

Meanwhile, in the men's singles category, another young lad, Siril Verma failed to capitalise his momentum throughout and emerge victorious in the finals against top seed from Malaysia Zulfadli Zulkiffli in a three game encounter 16-21, 21-19, 21-10.