Promising Odisha tennis player Debasis Sahoo achieved a notable feat in his bloosoming career by finishing boys doubles runners-up and reaching singles semifinals in the J5 Amman International, an ITF Junior (U-18) Tournament, which was held in Amman, Jordan from 20 to 25 June 2022.

In the doubles final, third-seeded Debasis and his Indian partner Rayan Sajjid Koothrat went down fighting to second-seed Nikita Bortnichek and Mustapha El Natour in super tie-breaker. On their way to the final, Debasis and Rayan eliminated top-seeds Lorant Gyori and Maciej Zarebski in the semifinals.

In boys singles competition, unseeded Debasis won three matches to reach semifinals before losing to sixth seed Mustapha El Natour in straight sets. On his way to the semifinals, the Odisha boy caused a major upset, knocking out third seed Nikita Bortnichek (Russia) in the opening round.

This was the first overseas ITF World Tour Junior Tournament for Debasis and he put up impressive performance. Overall, this was the fourth ITF J5 (Junior Grade-5) tournament for Debasis, who had played his first three in India (Gurugram, Dehradun and Bhilai).

Debasis was part of the Indian U-16 boys team that won the gold medal Junior Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Final Qualifying Tournament in New Delhi two months ago. He is set to represent the country in the World Group Finals, scheduled to be held in Antalya, Turkey from 1 to 6 November 2022.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS AT J5 AMMAN:

SINGLES: First Round: Beat Nikita Bortnichek (Russia) 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Second Round: Beat Malek El-Qurneh (Jordan) 6-3, 5-7, 6-1. Quarterfinals: Beat Maciej Zarebski (Poland) 6-4, 7-5. Semifinals: Lost to Mustapha El Natour (Lebanon) 4-6, 4-6.

DOUBLES (With partner Rayan Sajjid Koothrat): First Round: Beat Yousef Alissawi-Krishav Gulati (Jordan-India) 6-0, 6-1. Quarterfinals: Beat Zaid Mashni-Anthony Moukarzel (Jordan-Lebanon) 6-4, 6-1. Semifinals: Beat Lorant Gyori-Maciej Zarebski (Hungary-Poland) 6-1, 6-1. Final: Lost to Nikita Bortnichek-Mustapha El Natour (Russia-Lebanon) 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-5), 4-10.
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PHOTO: Debasis Sahoo with his mother Anukampa at the ITF J5 Amman International Tournament in Amman, Jordarn on 25 June 2022.