India assured medals in AIBA youth c’ship
New Delhi: Two Indian boxers were assured of medals in the youth event of the ongoing AIBA Women’s Youth and Junior World Championships after entering the semifinals in Albena, Bulgaria. Nikhat Zareen (54kg) and Simranjit Kaur (60kg) made the last-four stage after winning their respective bouts comfortably. Nikhat, the reigning junior world champion, defeated Italian Desire Galli, while Simranjit got the better off Justine Moerl from Germany. Both boxers clinched their bouts by unanimous decision. In the junior event, 14-year-old junior boxer Asha Roka (48kg) had powered through to the semifinals on Wendesday. (PTI)
Paes, Somdev in doubles semis
New Delhi: Leander Paes and his Italian partner Daniele Bracciali stormed into the semifinals of the Thailand Open in Bangkok on Thursday after defeating the Colombian pair of Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah in a three-set thriller. The second-seeded Indo-Italian duo emerged 6-7 (4), 7-6 (8), 10-8 winners in the quarterfinal match. They play the third-seeded pair of Jamie Murray of Britain and John Peers of Australia in the semifinals. Meanwhile, in the Malaysia Open in Kuala Lumpur, Somdev Devvarman and his South African partner Rik de Voest scored an upset win over second seeds Nenan Zimonjic of Serbia and Julien Benneteau of France in the quarterfinals. Somdev and de Voest came from a set down to win 3-6, 6-4, 10-7 in the quarterfinal. (PTI)
Hockey WC dream ends for Indian eves
Kuala Lumpur: Indian eves’ hopes of earning a berth in next year’s World Cup came crashing down after they lost 1-2 to defending champions Korea in the semifinal of the eighth women’s Asia Cup hockey tournament here on Thursday. The Koreans scored two early goals through Cheon Seul Ki (second minute) and Cheon Eun Bi Min (ninth) to stun the Indians. India tried hard to make a comeback in the second half and pulled one back through Ritu Rani’s goal in the 41st minute, but the Koreans did just enough to hold on to their slender lead. The Indians, who needed to win the Asia Cup to qualify for next year’s World Cup to be held in the Netherlands, will now play China in the bronze medal play-off match on Friday. Korea will play Japan, who defeated China 4-1 in the other semifinal, in the summit clash. (PTI)