THE precocious talent of 14-year-old Shayan Siraj was once again in evidence as he chased his third successive men's singles title at the Bradford Closed Championships last Sunday.
He faced strong competition, with Steve Horsfield, Richard Lightowler and John Chew all capable of stealing his thunder, and the top seeds all came through the group stages.
Shayan despatched Deo Jones in straight games in the last eight, but his semi-final opponent was Lightowler, who has a good record against the holder.
The teenager led 2-1 but Lightowler forced a decider and led 5-1 and 10-8 but Siraj never knows when he is beaten and took four points in a row to reach the final.
Horsfield came through the other half and was fancied by many to become champion but he had no answer to the attacking prowess of the superb
Siraj, who stormed to his treble in straight games.
Results – Men's singles semi-finals: Siraj bt R Lightowler 11-7 6-11 11-8 9-11 12-10, S Horsfield beat J Chew 6-11 11-6 11-4 11-5. Final: Siraj bt Horsfield 11-1 11-7 11-9. Ladies' singles: H Shields bt L Sanderson 11-8 11-9 4-11 13-11. Veterans' singles: Horsfield bt Chew 9-11 11-9 11-5 11-2. Men's doubles: Chew & N Rider bt Horsfield & R Priestley 13-11 11-6 11-5. Handicap singles: L Thompson (36) bt J Jennison (32) 44-35.
Consolation singles: Priestley bt P Mckrieth 11-8 13-11 8-11 5-11 11-9.
Bradford League – Division One: Hermits C 1 Dewsbury Tog 9, Pudsey A 3 Hermits A 7, Embassy Police A 8 Embassy Police B 2, Hermits B 7 Unity C 3, Yeadon B 2 Pudsey A 8. Division Two: Hermits G 10 Hermits-I 0, Unity D 5 Fastbats B 5, Hermits F 5 Rastrick 5, Fastbats C 0 Fastbats A 10, Embassy Police C 4 Highdale B 6, Hermits D 10 Hermits H 0. Division Three: Thornbury 3 Baildon A 7, Hermits M 8 Hermits N 2, Unity E 2 Baildon C 8, Baildon A 9 Hermits K 1, Baildon C 5 Hermits J 5, Baildon D 7 Fastbats E 3, Hermits L 5 Baildon D 5, Hermits J 5 Thornbury 5.
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