Thangmeiband Athletic Union president Kh. Bira presents the men’s doubles champion’s trophy to Premjit and Lelenjee (centre) at Thangmeiband on Monday. Telegraph picture

Imphal, March 29: Ningthoujam Premjit Singh defended his men’s singles title for the fourth time in a row in the 7th THAU Tennis Tournament, 2010 at Thangmeiband here today.

In the final, Premjit Singh put up a hard fight against N. Sanjay Singh.

He managed to clinch the match in his favour in a decisive second set for the triumph.

Premjit won the first set 6-4 but Sanjay again put up a spirited fight in the second set.

However, the defending champion finally managed to wrest the game from his rival 7-6 (7-4) to stake claim to the champion’s title.

In the under-14 boys’ final, Khumukcham Thoihenba Singh overcame Beckhar Huidrom 2-1.

Thoihenba won the first set 6-1.

But Beckhar stood up in the second game and put up a spirited fight to win the game 6-3.

In the third deciding set, Thoihenba rallied strongly and snatched the match 6-3 for the title.

The 25-year-old N. Premjit Singh, who is vying for national-level exposure, lauded his opponent Sanjay’s efforts to present a great match in the final.

“It was not an easy win for me today, as Sanjay is strong with his backhand and serves very fast,” he said.

He added that the game was an experience that would hold him in good stead in the final and in subsequent national-level matches.

“Sanjay also slackened a bit and I managed to take advantage of that opportunity,” he said.

Premjit had been holding the reins of the men’s single category of the tournament since the fourth edition.

Manipur Tennis Association president T. Panmei gave away the prizes to the winners.