Shrestha beat Dhami in semifinal and set up a final clash against club-mate Sajan Krishna Tamrakar, who defeated Ratnajeet Tamang in semifinal.[break]
Top Seed Shrestha pulled a 21-13, 21-11 straight set victory over Dhami in the semifinal.
Shrestha seemed clueless dealing with Dhami´s smashes in the first match of the tournament but the top-seed played straight net shot and and pushed Dhami behind every time in reply to the smashes, on Friday.
Dhami frequently complained about Shrestha´s services but judges were not convinced. Shrestha maintained his momentum in the second set and he gained a point through backhand smash.
“I played more rallies and exhausted him. Also, I returned his almost every smash,” said Shrestha. “I didn´t have the mobility to return his smashes in our last meeting but I gained my rhythm today (on Friday),” he added.
“He served in a wrong way but judges didn´t listen to my complaints,” said Dhami.
Nepal Police Club shuttler Shrestha said that he is now confident for the final match to be played against club-mate Tamrakar on Saturday.
The fourth-seeded Tamrakar came from a set down to win the semifinal match against the second seed Ratnajeet Tamang of Nepal APF Club. Tamang won the first set 21-18 and Tamrakar leveled it by winning the second set 21-19. In the thrilling third set, they were at level with 18-18 but Tamrakar snatched three continuous points to win the match.
Tamrakar expressed his delight over entering the final. “I promise an entertaining final tomorrow (on Friday). Bikash Dai (Shrestha) and I have been playing against each other for a long time. Let´s hope, I can challenge him in the final,” said Tamrakar.
On the other side, Tamang´s elder sister Sara Devi defeated Sabina Panthi of APF 21-11, 21-18 in the women´s singles semifinal while Pooja Shrestha of APF beat another Tamang sibling Nangshal Devi (APF) 21-14, 21-18.
The 10th seed Sara Devi Tamang of Army Club had defeated Pooja Shrestha in the final of Krishna Mohan Memorial Badminton Tournament two years ago but was out of the court last year because of knee injury.
“It´s a chance to take revenge. I´ve problems with my knees but I´m fit enough to win the final,” said Pooja Shrestha. “However, it´s a game and I can´t be overconfident,” she added.
“It´s just the third week of my comeback from the injury. However, the final will certainly be a tough match,” said Sara Devi Tamang.
Earlier, Dipesh Dhami edged past Indra Mahata of APF 21-17, 21-13 in the quarterfinal of the men´s singles while Bikash Shrestha beat Ram Singh Chaudhary from Kailali 21-15, 21-6. Likewise, Tamrakar defeated Pankaj Chand of APF 21-16, 21-9 and in all APF battle Ratnajit Ramang struggled past Sahadev Khadka 21-10, 13-21, 21-12.
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