Tennis

Ankita Raina and Ramkumar Ramanathan emerged victorious in the 42nd PSPB inter-unit tennis tournament held at the DLTA Complex. The tournament featured a packed schedule of team championships, singles, and doubles events over four days.In the men's singles final, Ramkumar Ramanathan of Indian Oil defeated his teammate Chirag Duhan 9-5. Ramkumar had previously overcome Vishnu Vardhan and Rithvik Bollipalli en route to the final.Ankita Raina of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) claimed the women's singles title with a 9-5 victory over Riya Bhatia of Indian Oil. Notably, Ankita had previously defeated Riya in straight sets during the team championship.The men's doubles title went to Vishnu Vardhan and Rithvik, who defeated Ramkumar and Chirag in the final.In the veterans category, Rajkumar Dubey of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) won the singles title and teamed up with Monish Sharma to clinch the doubles title. BPCL had also emerged victorious in the team championship.Riya Sachdeva was recognized as the "most promising player" of the tournament.The trophies were presented by Vartika Shukla, Chairman and Managing Director of the host, Engineers India Limited (EIL).

Sabine Lisicki, the former Wimbledon finalist, has announced her pregnancy and vowed to make "one more comeback" to professional tennis. The 34-year-old German has endured a litany of injuries throughout her career, but her determination remains unwavering.Lisicki's journey has been marked by both triumph and adversity. In 2012, she reached the Wimbledon final, where she lost to Serena Williams. She also won four WTA titles and achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 12. However, injuries have plagued her since then, including two major knee injuries, ankle problems, a shoulder issue, and mononucleosis.Despite these setbacks, Lisicki has shown remarkable resilience. In 2023, she won her first title in nine years at the ITF W60 event in Calgary, Canada. This victory came after an 18-month absence due to her second knee injury.Lisicki's return to form has been inspiring. She has qualified for the WTA 500 in Charleston and reached the quarterfinals of the grass-court event in Bad Homburg. Her current ranking is No. 374, but she is determined to climb back up the ladder.Lisicki's pregnancy announcement has been met with both joy and anticipation. She and her fiancé are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their child, but she is also committed to returning to the court. Her unwavering spirit and determination suggest that she has one more comeback in her.

Andy Murray's recent first-round victory at Indian Wells highlighted the enduring presence of veteran tennis players on the tour. Murray, now 36, has witnessed a shift in fan engagement over his nearly two decades of competition. While traditional cheers and encouragement remain, he has encountered a dedicated supporter who provides constant praise and encouragement, acting as a "second coach."This experience reflects Murray's ongoing appreciation for the game and his determination to maintain a competitive level. Despite a 2-6 record in 2024 and plans to retire later this year, Murray remains motivated by the support of his fans and the thrill of competition.The Indian Wells tournament has become a showcase for aging tennis stars, with Venus Williams, Stan Wawrinka, Angelique Kerber, Caroline Wozniacki, Gael Monfils, Fabio Fognini, and David Goffin all making appearances. This trend is not limited to Indian Wells; the tennis landscape is increasingly populated by players in their 30s and beyond.The decision to retire is a complex one for tennis players, who have more control over their careers than athletes in team sports. The allure of applause and the desire to continue playing can outweigh the physical challenges and diminishing performance.Venus Williams' performance at Indian Wells demonstrated the challenges faced by aging players. Despite flashes of brilliance, her game faltered in the second set, resulting in a bagel loss. However, her presence on the court was met with enthusiasm from fans who appreciate her longevity and love for the game.While the presence of veterans may lack the suspense and anticipation of younger players, they offer a different kind of appeal. Fans have witnessed their journeys and shared their triumphs and setbacks. As Rod Laver observed, aging players may be able to perform at their peak for a day, but the challenge lies in sustaining that level consistently.Murray's superfan serves as a reminder of the enduring connection between players and their supporters. The veterans on the tour may not offer the same level of excitement as rising stars, but they bring a wealth of experience and a unique bond with their fans.

Andy Murray and Andrey Rublev are set to face off in a highly anticipated second-round clash at the BNP Paribas Open on Friday, March 8. Murray has been in impressive form, securing a straight-set victory over David Goffin in the first round. Rublev, on the other hand, has been embroiled in controversy after being defaulted in Dubai for berating an official.Despite Rublev's recent struggles, he remains a formidable opponent. However, Murray's experience and defensive prowess could prove to be a significant advantage. Murray's ability to run down every ball and force Rublev into extra shots could frustrate the Russian, who has a tendency to lose his composure under pressure.Murray's serve, while not as consistent as it once was, is still capable of delivering in big matches. Rublev's serve, on the other hand, is not one of his major strengths. This could give Murray an edge in the crucial moments.Overall, Murray appears to be in a favorable position heading into this matchup. He is in decent form, while Rublev is still dealing with the fallout from his Dubai incident. Murray's ability to neutralize Rublev's power game and exploit his weaknesses could lead to a set victory for the Brit.

Korean tennis star Dayeon Back continued her impressive run at the Maha Urja $25,000 ITF women's tennis tournament in Pune, India, by defeating fifth seed Sahaja Yamalapalli in straight sets in the quarterfinals. Back's 6-4, 6-1 victory sets up a semifinal clash with second seed Dalila Jakupovic, who overcame a slow start to beat Miriana Tona of Italy in three sets.Another Korean player, Yeonwoo Ku, also advanced to the semifinals with a dominant 6-1, 6-0 win over Ekaterina Yashina. Ku will face Daria Kudashova in the semifinals.In doubles action, Ku and Justina Mikulskyte upset the Indian pair of Shrivalli Bhamidipaty and Vaidehi Chaudhari in a thrilling super tie-break. The Korean-Lithuanian duo won 6-1, 2-6, [10-8] to reach the semifinals.

Taste of Tennis, a highly anticipated social event in the tennis world, made its grand return to Indian Wells this week. Hosted at the Hyatt Indian Wells Resort and Spa, the evening showcased a delectable culinary experience and a parade of stylish attire.Tennis stars graced the event, including Paula Badosa, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Qinwen Zheng, and Alexander Zverev. As they posed for the cameras, their fashion choices sparked conversations on social media. Badosa opted for an elegant all-white ensemble, complete with a Christian Dior bag adorned with butterflies and constellations. Zheng, Zverev, and Jakub Mensik also embraced the neutral palette with their cream-colored outfits.In contrast, Holger Rune and Liudmilla Samsonova opted for warmth and comfort, donning black puffer jackets. Bethanie Mattek-Sands, known for her bold fashion statements, turned heads with her Bottega Venetta bag in vibrant orange shearling. Tsitsipas added a touch of tennis flair with a shirt featuring a tropical tennis scene.Beyond the fashion, the evening offered a culinary extravaganza. Guests savored tuna crudo, ember-roasted purple yam, coconut ceviche, and shawarma-spiced lamb. The event also had a charitable component, with a commemorative painting auctioned for $5,000 to benefit Shay's Warriors, a cancer survivorship support organization.Taste of Tennis will continue its culinary and fashion journey at the Miami Open presented by Itau on March 18 at the JW Marriott Miami.

Sumit Nagal's BNP Paribas Open campaign came to an abrupt end in the opening round, as he succumbed to a straight-set defeat against Canada's Milos Raonic. The Indian tennis star, who entered the main draw as a "lucky loser" following Rafael Nadal's withdrawal, was unable to match the power and precision of his opponent.Nagal, ranked 101st in the ATP charts, struggled to find his rhythm against the experienced Raonic, who converted three of the 12 break points he earned. Nagal, on the other hand, failed to capitalize on the two break points he had. The match lasted one hour and 28 minutes, with Raonic dominating from start to finish.Nagal's main draw appearance was a result of Nadal's last-minute withdrawal due to lack of readiness. The Spaniard has been battling injury issues and underwent hip surgery last season. Nagal had initially lost in the second round of the qualifying tournament but was given a lifeline when Nadal pulled out.Despite the disappointing result, Nagal's performance in recent months has been encouraging. He made a splash in January by reaching the second round of the Australian Open, a feat that helped him break into the top-100 of the ATP rankings.If Nagal can maintain his current form and return to the top-100, he will have a chance to qualify for the Paris Olympics. The Indian tennis star has shown great potential and determination, and he will be hoping to build on his recent successes in the coming months.

Naomi Osaka's triumphant return to the BNP Paribas Open continued on Thursday as she defeated Sara Errani in straight sets to reach the second round. The former world No. 1, who is playing her fifth tournament since giving birth to daughter Shai last year, is starting to find her form after a 16-month break.Osaka, who arrived at Indian Wells unseeded, started slowly against Errani, a former world No. 5. The Italian twice led by a break in the opening set, but Osaka soon found her rhythm and reeled off four straight games to take the set.Errani continued to push in the second set, but Osaka was too strong and broke serve three times to win the set 6-1. The match lasted just one hour and nine minutes, with Osaka hitting seven aces and breaking serve five times.Up next for Osaka is No. 14 seed Liudmila Samsonova, who received a bye into the second round. The two will be facing off for the first time, with Samsonova having enjoyed a similarly up-and-down start to her 2024 season.Osaka's victory is a sign that she is starting to return to her best form. The 26-year-old is a four-time Grand Slam champion and is one of the most marketable athletes in the world. Her return to the top of the game would be a major boost for women's tennis.

Venus Williams, the 43-year-old tennis legend, made her long-awaited return to the WTA Tour at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Despite a promising start, Williams ultimately fell to qualifier Nao Hibino in a three-set battle.Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, had not played a competitive match since her first-round exit at the US Open in August 2023. Her last appearance at Indian Wells was in 2019.The match began on Wednesday night in windy and chilly conditions, but was interrupted by heavy rain after just two games. When play resumed on Thursday, the weather had improved significantly.Williams started strongly, taking the first set 6-2 with her trademark power and precision. However, Hibino, ranked 80th in the world, fought back to win the second set 6-3.In the deciding set, Williams' game fell apart as she struggled with unforced errors and double faults. Hibino took advantage, winning the final six games to seal the victory 6-0.Despite the defeat, Williams showed glimpses of her former brilliance, particularly with her serve and backhand. However, her lack of match fitness and consistency proved to be her undoing.Hibino, who had never won a match at Indian Wells before, will now face No. 17 seed Veronika Kudermetova in the second round.Other notable results from Day 2 of the tournament included victories for 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, 2018 Australian Open winner Caroline Wozniacki, and 2022 Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins.On the men's side, three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka was defeated by 63rd-ranked Tomas Machac, while Gael Monfils and qualifier Lucas Pouille advanced.Rafael Nadal, who was scheduled to play his first tour match since January on Thursday night, withdrew from the tournament on Wednesday due to a hip injury.