Indian sports activities wrap, January 20: Tatjana favorite at ITF Ladies’s Open; Shruti hopes to qualify for Winter Olympics

TENNIS

Tatjana Maria KPB Belief Ladies’s Open

Seasoned campaigner Tatjana Maria will begin because the favorite within the USD 1,00,000 KPB Belief Ladies’s Open tennis match which commences on the KSLTA courts right here on Tuesday.

High seed Tatjana, a Wimbledon semifinalist three years in the past, has two WTA 250 title victories within the bag. Tatjana just lately misplaced within the second spherical of the Australian Open.

The 37-year-old Tatjana will probably be challenged by Canada’s Rebecca Marino, former champion Brenda Fruhvirtova and holder Darja Semenistaja.

Second seed Rebecca had reached her career-high WTA singles rating of 38 again in 2011. Proprietor of 17 ITF singles titles, Rebecca misplaced within the first spherical of the opening Slam.

Brenda, 17, had gained this occasion two years in the past.

Reigning champion Darja is coming off a semifinal look in New Delhi final week. “I’m blissful to be again right here. I’ve nice reminiscences from final yr,” Darja mentioned.

Ankita Raina, the world no. 286, will lead the Indian cost. Ankita and three different Indians – Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty and Vaidehi Chaudhari – had been handed wild card entries.

-Ashwin Achal

SKATING

Skater Shruti Kotwal hopes to qualify for Winter Olympics by means of AWG

Indian skater Shruti Kotwal has set her sights on the Asian Winter Video games (AWG) in Harbin, China, subsequent month as a platform to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics to be held in Italy.

India’s Shruti Kotwal in acion.
| Photograph Credit score:
Shruti Kotwal/Instagram

Kotwal, who’s coaching in the USA, will probably be main the nation’s 41-member athlete contingent within the AWG to be held from February 7 to 14.

Kotwal mentioned the AWG will probably be a giant alternative for her to check herself towards the most effective skaters on this planet.

“I’m specializing in the 500m and 1000m occasions for Olympic qualification. The timing necessities are extremely difficult – sub-40 seconds for the 500m and below 1:20 for the 1000m. My Indian nationwide file is 41.97 seconds and I have to skate below 40 seconds to qualify,” Kotwal advised SAI Media.

This will probably be Kotwal’s second look within the AWG after 2017, when the Asian meet was held in Japan.

“Nations like South Korea, Japan, and China constantly produce robust skaters who’re technically and bodily distinctive. I’ve confronted a few of these opponents in earlier occasions and perceive their strengths. It’s a tricky subject,” mentioned the 33-year-old from Pune.

A number of Indian pace skaters are coaching in Korea for AWG and contestants from no less than 24 nations are anticipated to participate within the continental occasion.

Kotwal mentioned the Khelo India Winter Video games have been a really perfect platform for skaters aspiring to make a mark on the worldwide degree.

“Khelo India Winter Video games brings everyone collectively. It actually helps to advertise the game. We didn’t have that after we began and I believe the skaters now are very fortunate,” mentioned Kotal.

The primary leg of the Khelo India Winter Video games 2025 will start in Ladakh on January 23. Skating occasions will happen on the NDS Stadium and the Gupuks Pond in Leh, as no less than 150 ice-speed skaters will probably be seen in motion.

-PTI

BASKETBALL

Mayank Hooda shines in Manav Rachna Basketball Match

Mayank Hooda emerged the ‘Most worthy participant’ as he guided Sports activities Promotion Membership (SPC) Kiloi, Rohtak, to a 62-35 victory over Punjab Warriors within the under-12 boys ultimate of the Manav Rachna basketball match on the Manav Rachna Worldwide Institute of Analysis and Research courts.

About 40 groups participated within the match from throughout Northern India.

-Kamesh Srinivasan