Indian sports activities news wrap, January 12

GOLF

Avani playing cards 3-under 70; finishes second

Avani Prashanth carded a nice 3-under 70 within the fourth and remaining spherical however nonetheless ended up second to Rianne Mikhaela Malixi of the Philippines by one shot within the Australian Master of Amateurs Championships right here Friday.

The Indian was in nice fettle and her 70 on the day noticed her ending the 72-hole occasion with a complete of 6-under, even because the 16-year-old Malixi, who was tied with the Indian within the second place after three rounds, shot 4-under 69 to seize the title.

Avani had rounds of 71-68-77-70 for a 6-under 286 whereas Malixi with 70-72-74-69 carded 7-under 285.

Japan’s Nika Ito, who led after the primary two rounds, completed third with 68-70-78-71 at 5-under 287, whereas the 54-hole chief, Australia’s Lion Higo was fourth with playing cards of 71-71-70-76.

Malixi and Avani will battle it out once more subsequent week on the Australian Amateurs after which on the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in Thailand in early February.

But Avani was not disheartened. “Well, I think it was a good week. I can’t complain too much. But I didn’t have the best day in the third round. But there’s always the next week.” Nevertheless, it was one other nice consequence for Avani, who since ending sixth on the identical occasion final 12 months, has been in nice type.

She gained particular person honours at Queen Sirikit Cup, the place Malixi was third. Avani additionally topped the Asian Games trials forward of the professionals in India, however was solely 18th on the occasion.

The different Indian participant within the ladies’s part Heena Kang missed the 54-hole reduce, as did Rohit Narwal and Sandeep Yadav.

– PTI

TENNIS

Bopanna and Ebden in Adelaide remaining

Second seeds Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden beat Gonzalo Escobar and Aleksandr Nedovyesov 6-4, 6-4 to arrange a title conflict in opposition to third seeds Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury within the $739,945 ATP tennis event in Adelaide, Australia, on Friday.

-Kamesh Srinivasan

ITF junior tennis: Top seed Nikita beats Rethin in semifinals

Top seed Nikita Bilozertsev of Ukraine wriggled out of the clutches of Rethin Pranav for a 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 victory within the semifinals of the ITF junior tennis event on the DLTA Complex on Friday.

The athletic Nikita, fairly energetic on each flanks, discovered a robust match in Rethin for the higher a part of the competition. However, after enjoying admirably for a set and a half, Rethin wavered barely in dropping serve within the seventh recreation of the second set. Thereafter, the tide turned in opposition to him, and he was a step gradual in dealing with the robust opponent.

Rethin had stepped it up properly after dropping serve halfway by way of the primary set to show it round in his favour, particularly together with his robust serve. In the climax, it was solely Nikita who was in a position to maintain the prime quality recreation.

In the ultimate, NIkita will play third seed Ognjen Milic of Serbia who outplayed Luc Wieland of Switzerland for the lack of 5 video games.

In the women’ part, Maria Golovina, the champion of the final event in Chandigarh, proved too sensible for Daria Shadchneva. In the ultimate, Maria will face prime seed Lidia Podgorichani of Thailand, who pulled by way of in a protracted three-setter in opposition to Christasha McNeil of USA.

-Kamesh Srinivasan

CRICKET

Odisha claimS Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for Blind title

Odisha emerged as champion on the Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind after beating Karnataka by six wickets within the remaining right here on Friday.

Chasing a goal of 94, Odisha acquired early jolts, with skipper Phula Saren being dismissed for a golden duck.

However, Jamuna Rani Tudu and Basanti Hansda scored 24 and 34 runs respectively to take Odisha house.

Batting first, Karnataka misplaced 5 wickets within the powerplay, whereas star batter Deepika scored 16 runs in 29 balls.

The aspect misplaced wickets commonly and was reeling at 44 for six within the eighth over, however Divakka and Renuka Rajput took Karnataka previous the 90-run mark. However, the crew was skittled for 93 within the nineteenth over.

– PTI

VOLLEYBALL

Chennai Rockstars wins the TN Volleyball League

Chennai Rockstars did it in type. Led by India International and crew captain M. Ukkarapandian, Rockstars delivered a stand-out efficiency to defeat Cuddalore With US 21-17, 21-16, 21-19 within the remaining of the SNJ-Tamil Nadu volleyball league (TNVL) held right here on Friday.

Rockstars got here ready and carried out its plans to a ‘T’. From setter Ukkarapandian to attacker Raman Kumar and blocker Prince, the crew was medical in its show. 

However, within the third set there was a contact of drama and controversy. Trailing 16-18, Cuddalore Lad Om Vasanth’s serve regarded to the touch the sidelines and a replay from aspect angle (inconclusive) proved so. It was referred to as an excellent serve (as an ace is known as in TNVL) and the crew bought two factors. Jerome Vinith, the captain of Cuddalore, was not completely satisfied as he saved arguing with the referee. But, the referee’s resolution stood. 

Cuddalore fought exhausting to take add extra factors. At 19-20, Santhosh’s attacking shot kissed Cuddalore Chandrasekar’s arms and bounced out, giving Rockstars a much-deserved victory.

Rockstars head coach Harun Ahmed Khan gave full credit score to Ukkarapandian. “All credit to my captain. In my team, apart from Ukkra, there are no stars players in my team. Our plan was to block and serve well. After our loss to Cuddalore earlier in the league where we did mistakes in reception and blocking, we rectified them.”

Ukkarapandian praised the league as an excellent platform for the younger and upcoming gamers. He hoped that TNVL would change into an annual affair. “It’s a big opportunity and a huge platform for young players. There are seven college players, one school player and four departmental players in a team, apart from two outstation players.

It’s a great vehicle for grassroots development and a chance for producing more quality players from Tamil Nadu. When young players watch players like me, Jerome Vinith, Santhosh, Raman Kumar and Prince, they get to learn a lot and get motivated.” 

When requested in regards to the controversy relating to the tremendous serve, Ukkarapandian mentioned: “TV replays can be done only with high quality cameras. It will take time [in TNVL].”

Special awards: Most invaluable participant of the event: M. Ukkarapandian (Chennai Rockstars); greatest setter: Lad Om Vasanth (Cuddalore With US); greatest outdoors hitter: S. Nandha Gopal (Virudhunagar King Makers); greatest blocker: Prince (Chennai Rockstars); greatest Universal: Jerome Vinith (Cuddalore With US); greatest libero: R. Ramanathan (Cuddalore With US); greatest truthful play award: V. Okay. Vinith Kumar (Virudhunagar King Makers).