Alcaraz clinches his first indoor title by beating De Minaur
ROTTERDAM, Feb 10: Carlos Alcaraz secured his first indoor title by beating Alex de Minaur in the final of the Rotterdam Open on Sunday.The top-seeded Alcaraz won 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to become the first Spanish champion in the tournament’s 52-year history.It was a 17th title for the 21-year-old Alcaraz but his first indoor one.“This week has been a really good week,” Alcaraz said. “Putting in really good work. Coming here (not) feeling 100% well with the cold but after every day I’m feeling better and better.“It was the first time that I (was) playing here and you (fans) made it like I’ve been playing this tournament for a long time.” De Minaur lost to Jannik Sinner in last year’s Rotterdam final.“We’re pushing for bigger and better things,” the Australian said. “It’s been two years now with this runner-up trophy. I’m hoping I’ll get my hand on the winners’ one day.” (AP)
Anshba-Pridankina claim doubles title in Mumbai Open
MUMBAI, Feb 10: India’s Prarthana Thombare and her Dutch partner Arianne Hartono went down to the Russian duo of Amina Anshba and Elena Pridankina in the doubles final, while Jil Teichmann triumphed over Mananchaya Sawangkaew to claim the singles title at the Mumbai Open WTA 125 Series here.While Teichmann from Switzerland got the better of her Thai opponent Sawangkaew 6-3, 6-4, the pair of Anshba and Pridankina defeated Thombare and Hartono 7-6 (4), 2-6, 10-7.Thombare and Hartono displayed aggressive intent, racing to a 4-2 lead in the first set. However, the Russian duo, led by a determined Pridankina, mounted a fierce comeback and forced the set into a tiebreak.Despite their valiant efforts, Thombare and Hartono narrowly lost the tiebreak, conceding the first set 6-7.Undeterred, Thombare and Hartono regrouped in the second set and levelled the match by taking the second set convincingly at 6-2.In the final set, Thombare and Hartono initially held a 5-3 advantage and seemed poised for victory.However, the Russian duo dug deep, clawing their way back into the match and clinched the deciding tiebreaker 10-7.The former world No 21 Teichmann was in complete control of the match and walked away with the winning prize and trophy. She also got into the top 100 WTA rankings.Teichmann and Sawangkaew went toe-to-toe in the opening three games of the first set. The Swiss player was leading the set 2-1 after which she used the momentum to her advantage and claimed the next four games on the trot.Despite her efforts and swift movement across the court, Sawangkaew couldn’t match the speed of her opponent’s variation in shots. She tried to make a comeback, winning two games in the end but Teichmann claimed the first set 6-3.After six games, the scores in the second set stood at 3-3 with both players matching their strides. Teichmann was dragging the rallies longer to tire Sawangkaew out and forced her into making errors.Teichmann then won two crucial games in a row but Sawangkaew took one back right down the wire to make it 5-4.In the final set, Teichmann showed an incredible level of class to win four points in a row and then eventually claimed the set 6-4 to to win the big match in straight sets.The winner of the singles title won 125 ranking points and a reward of USD 15,500 while the doubles champions won 125 ranking points and a reward of USD 5,700. (PTI)
Ireland win third straight Test after beating Zimbabwe
BULAWAYO, (Zimbabwe) Feb 10: Ireland won a third straight cricket Test match after beating Zimbabwe by 63 runs on Monday in their one-off meeting in Bulawayo.The Irish gained full member status with the ICC in 2017, allowing them to play test cricket. They lost their first seven matches at Test level.However, they beat Afghanistan in March last year and now have back-to-back wins over Zimbabwe, with left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys claiming a six-wicket haul to help seal victory on the fifth and final day.Zimbabwe was set a target of 292 but fell short despite Wessly Madhevere making 84.Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie said he was unaware when the team’s next test match will be.“We are desperate to play,” Balbirnie said. (PTI)