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Tag: Davis cup

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TOISA: How Yogi Adityanath govt transformed UP’s sports scenario in 7 years | – Times of India

On right track to prepare perfect pitchAthlete Parul Chaudhary was about to miss her gold medal by a whisker, but it was a unique motivation - of donning the khaki as a deputy superintendent of police - that helped her snatch victory from the jaws of defeat."In the last 20 metres of the race, I was behind Japanese athlete Ririka Hironaka, but suddenly I bursted for four seconds to cross the finish line first," recalled Parul, who made history in Oct last year by becoming the first Indian woman to win 5000 metres race to fetch the country a gold medal in the Asian Games.TOISA 2023 gala sports awards function today in LucknowAfter the feat, the gritty sportsperson from Meerut told TOI that she had read in the newspapers that UP govt would offer the post of DSP to athletes who won medals i...
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Davis Cup: India drawn to meet Sweden in away tie in September | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India were on Thursday drawn to meet Sweden in an away Davis Cup World Group I tie in September.The Indian Davis Cup team had blanked Pakistan 4-0 in the World Group I play-offs in Islamabad last week while Sweden lost 1-3 to Brazil at home in the Qualifiers first round.India have never defeated Sweden in five meetings so far but will have a great opportunity to get their first win as the hosts do not boast of intimidating singles players.The last time India competed against Sweden was in 2005 when India hosted them in Delhi and lost 1-3.Sweden have a very talented Elias Ymer, who is ranked 160, in their ranks. India have higher-ranked Sumit Nagal (121) and if he is available, it will be an interesting tie.India captain Rohit Rajpal seemed happy with the draw, considering tha...
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Davis Cup, IND vs PAK: Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni’s straight-sets doubles win seals India’s promotion

India capped off their first visit to Pakistan for a Davis Cup tie in 60 years with an eighth consecutive win over their neighbours in the team competition, ensuring promotion to the World Group 1. Entering the day with a 2-0 lead, Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni defeated Muzammil Murtaza and Aqeel Khan in the doubles rubber to seal the playoff tie. Later, debutant Niki Poonacha beat Muhammad Shoaib in a dead rubber, as India completed a 4-0 win in Islamabad on Sunday. Despite being without their top singles players, receiving the heavy attention that any sporting tie between India and Pakistan grabs – especially after India saw multiple attempts to have the tie moved to a neutral venue rejected – and having to deal with the heavy security cover that restricted their movement within the ...
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Davis Cup: India clinch spot in World Group I, beat Pakistan 3-0 | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Indian Davis Cup team concluded their historic visit to Pakistan after 60 years with a resounding victory, securing a place in World Group I. Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni's comfortable win in the play-off tie against Muzammil Murtaza and Aqeel Khan sealed the team's 3-0 lead. Bhambri and Myneni showcased their skills, leaving their opponents with little chance to challenge them.Despite the change in the Pakistani team lineup, with Aqeel replacing Barkat Ullah, India maintained their dominance over Pakistan in the tournament. The Indian players displayed a higher level of quality, with Myneni's powerful serves proving difficult for the home team to handle. Additionally, Bhambri's well-placed winners further solidified India's advantage.This victory marks India's eighth c...
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Ramkumar Ramanathan recovers in time against Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi as India take 2-0 lead against Pakistan

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, one of Pakistan’s most accomplished tennis players, may now be 43 years old, and may not even be placed on the singles rankings of the ATP Tour, but he found himself seven points away from creating a huge upset. But India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan clutched up on serve and return to save himself from the blushes and overturn a one-set deficit against Qureshi, prevailing 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-0 in the opening singles rubber of the Davis Cup World Group 1 playoff tie between India and Pakistan in Islamabad on Saturday. N Sriram Balaji, a relatively inexperienced singles player in the past few years, followed up Ramkumar’s win by defeating 44-year-old veteran Aqeel Khan 7-5, 6-3 to give India an imposing 2-0 lead in the tie heading into the second day. India were the favouri...
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Davis Cup: India’s best is World No. 461, Pakistan’s World No. 1681

A huge rankings mismatch between the two sides and a venue with capacity to accomodate 500 fans has taken the shine off the rare Indian team’s tour of Pakistan. While the attention-grabbing aspect of this tie may be the frosty sporting relations between the two countries, India will hope to ride their status as heavy favourites to go back into World Group 1.Following tough ties against Casper Ruud-led Norway and Holger Rune-led Denmark, India found themselves in the humbling position of being demoted to World Group 2, but favourable ties against lower-ranked Morocco at home, and now Pakistan away, should give them a chance to go back up one division. The Indian team does not feature either Sumit Nagal – fresh off a confidence-boosting second-round finish at the Australian Open – or Sasi...
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India Davis Cup captain Zeeshan Ali looks to spread friendship, tennis | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India's Davis Cup captain Zeeshan Ali on Friday deftly addressed various unexpected volleys in a press meet, including the reasons why other Indian sports teams, notably cricket, avoid visiting Pakistan. The conversation also touched on the humorous anecdotes about the team's shopping experiences in Islamabad.The Indian Davis Cup squad has refrained from venturing outside their team hotel, with their activities limited to training at the Islamabad Sports Complex, owing to stringent security measures. Zeeshan adeptly navigated these questions, expressing optimism about the possibility of a brief outing and providing insightful responses about the broader purpose behind their visit.“We have not been out anywhere. I am hoping a trip can be arranged," said Zeeshan, rather surpris...
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Coach Zeeshan Ali on India’s Davis Cup tie in Pakistan: ‘Experience has been great so far, we are here with a purpose and that is to win’

An Indian tennis team has travelled to Pakistan for the Davis Cup for the first time in 60 years, for the upcoming World Group 1 playoff tie to be played on the grass courts of Islamabad between February 3-4. But given the tight security cover that has been granted to them, they are yet to experience the atmosphere of the city or judge the reception they will receive from the people. “The experience has been great so far but we have been under very strict security conditions,” Zeeshan Ali, India coach and captain for the tie, told The Indian Express over the phone from Islamabad. “We went from the airport to the hotel, and then to the practice venues and back to the hotel. We have not been moving around the city and have not gotten a chance to interact with anyone. What we have seen so ...
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Pakistan host India Davis Cup tie for first time in 60 years | – Times of India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan host arch-political foe India this weekend in their first Davis Cup tennis clash on home soil in six decades -- one of the few encounters in any sport between the two nations in years.The two sides meet in a Group 1 playoff fixture on the grass courts of the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad, although it has yet to be decided if spectators will be allowed because of security concerns.When India and Pakistan were forged out of violent partition 76 years ago, the split also created one of sport's greatest rivalries -- mostly in cricket, but also in hockey and other events.But political differences over Kashmir mean sporting teams from each side rarely visit the other unless taking part in sanctioned multi-national events."Hopefully this tie will act as an example of...
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Historic Davis Cup tie between India and Pakistan aims to revitalize tennis in Pakistan | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Davis Cup clash between India and Pakistan is poised to mark a historic moment for tennis in Pakistan, aiming to inject enthusiasm and breathe new life into the sport that has suffered due to the absence of international events over the past decade.The last time an Indian Davis Cup team visited Pakistan was in 1964, making this tie a truly historic event. The decision to hold the tie in Pakistan was supported by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), which assured that Indian players would not face any security concerns.International sporting events in Pakistan came to a standstill after the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore, leading to the country being barred from hosting world-level tournaments across sports. The impact was significant, affec...
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‘We are well looked after’, says Indian Davis Cup manager on landing in Pakistan

For the first time in 60 years, an Indian tennis team has travelled to Pakistan to play a Davis Cup tie. The 10-member contingent, including the five players, support staff and coaches, landed in Islamabad for the World Group 1 playoff tie, to be held between February 3-4, on Sunday to a warm reception despite the All India Tennis Association’s (AITA) attempts to have the tie moved to a neutral venue. “I can say we are all well looked after,” Anil Dhupar, secretary general of AITA, told The Indian Express over the phone from Islamabad. “Having been here 24 hours, I can say all is well. From the reception at the airport from the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) to the three-hour-long practice the players had today, the hospitality has been great.” The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and PTF ...
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Pakistan High Commission issues visas to Indian team for upcoming Davis Cup tie

The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi announced via a release on Sunday that it has issued visas for Indian players and support staff for the upcoming Davis Cup World Group 1 playoff tie to be held on the grass courts of Islamabad on February 3-4. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) had initially seen an appeal to have the tie in a neutral venue rejected by an International Tennis Federation tribunal. The most recent tie between the two countries in 2019 had been held in Kazakhstan. Following the rejection of their appeal, AITA began the process of seeking permission from the sports ministry to travel to Pakistan, where Indian teams, outside of some exceptions, have usually refrained from visiting due to bilateral tensions. This will be the first time that an Indian team will...
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Australian Open: Novak Djokovic stunned by Jannik Sinner in semifinal | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Novak Djokovic failed in his bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title as he was defeated by Jannik Sinner 1-6, 2-6, 7-6(6), 3-6 in the Australian Open semifinal in Melbourne on Friday.Sinner had a match point in the tie-breaker but Djokovic brought all his experience into play to save it and win the 76-minute third set.Djokovic stood just two matches away from tennis immortality, but his march towards an 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th Grand Slam crown was dashed by Sinner on the Rod Laver Arena.Italy's Sinner had recent pedigree in matches against Djokovic, beating him in the group stage at the ATP Finals -- though Djokovic came out on top in the final -- and at the Davis Cup.Before this match, Djokovic had an unbeaten streak of 33 matches -- stretching b...
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233 kph! 17-year-old Tomek Berkieta hits fastest serve at Australian Open | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Polish teenager Tomek Berkieta showcased his powerful serve at the Australian Open Junior Championships by delivering the fastest serve of the tournament so far. The 17-year-old, ranked as the third seed, unleashed a remarkable serve at 233 kph (145 mph) during his second-round match against Brazilian Enzo Kohlmann de Freitas.Despite the immense speed of Berkieta's serve, his opponent managed to return the ball on 1573 Arena, eventually winning the point two shots later.Berkieta went on to secure a 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-2 victory over Kohlmann de Freitas in the Boys Championship.The fastest serve in the men's draw at the Australian Open this year was recorded by American Ben Shelton, who delivered a 231-kph serve in his third-round match. Berkieta's impressive feat highlights the po...
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India may miss Davis Cup match hosted by rival Pakistan | Tennis News – Times of India

India's potential Davis Cup forfeit in Pakistan looms as the All India Tennis Association (AITA) revealed on Thursday that the team is awaiting government approval for travel. Given the historical conflicts between the nuclear-armed neighbours since gaining independence from British rule in 1947, sports competitions between India and Pakistan have often fallen victim to their animosity.AITA has sought approval from the sports ministry to travel to Pakistan after the International Tennis Federation tribunal rejected a request to relocate the fixture to a third country."The proposal is still pending with the ministry and we are awaiting a decision," AITA secretary-general Anil Dhupar told AFP.The World Group 1 clash is scheduled for February 3-4.Sports matches between India and Pakistan a...
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AITA loses appeal to move India’s Davis Cup tie against Pakistan to neutral venue | Tennis News – Times of India

PUNE: The Indian Davis Cup team is all set to make its first visit to Pakistan in 60 years in February after the All India Tennis Association’s appeal to shift the World Group I playoff tie from Islamabad to a neutral venue was rejected by an ITF tribunal.After the two teams were drawn against each other for the February 3-4 clash in September, the AITA had written to the ITF's Davis Cup Committee (DCC) to move the tie to a neutral venue citing security concerns in the light of strained political relations between the two nations.After the DCC turned down its request, AITA took its appeal to an ITF tribunal, a single-judge forum. "The DCC’s decision to hold the tie in Pakistan has solid grounds and it is pertinent on all the nations to visit the venue (country) selected by the DCC for t...
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If needed, we will play in Pakistan says AITA secretary general after team selection

The All-India Tennis Association (AITA) announced a five-member squad for India’s Davis Cup World Group 1 playoff tie against Pakistan on February 3-4, the clearest indication so far that the team intends to travel to Pakistan for the first time in 60 years, despite ongoing tensions between the two countries. Ramkumar Ramanathan is set to lead the team for the tie that will be held on the grass courts of Islamabad alongside doubles specialists N Sriram Balaji, Yuki Bhambri, Saketh Myneni and Niki Poonacha. Digvijay Pratap Singh, who made his Davis Cup debut against Morocco in the World Group 2 tie in Lucknow in September, has been named as the reserve. In 2019, when India were drawn to play in Pakistan, the two teams played at a neutral venue in Kazakhstan, but the ITF Davis Cup committ...
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Young rivals have awoken my inner ‘beast’: Novak Djokovic | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Next year, Novak Djokovic will turn 37, but the Serbian player believes that as youthful competitors bring out the "beast" in him, his hunger for glory will only grow.With three of the four Grand Slams won, the world number one had an incredible 2023. This brought his total to 24, two more than his fiercest opponent Rafael Nadal and four more above the retired Roger Federer.But Djokovic did not have it all his own way, as 22-year-old Jannik Sinner dashed his dreams of winning the Davis Cup and 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz denied him a Wimbledon championship."The young guys who are very hungry and very inspired to play their best tennis against me is an additional motivation," Djokovic said on CBS News program "60 Minutes"."I think they kind of awaken a beast in me."Alcaraz was ...
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Can Jannik Sinner use Davis Cup triumph against Djokovic as springboard to next level?

With its revamped, commercialised format and presence at the fag end of an already bloated competitive tennis season, the modern-day significance of the Davis Cup has been in question for a few years now.But Jannik Sinner – the 22-year-old World No. 4 who powered Italy to a first Davis Cup title in 47 years on Sunday – had the kind of week that proved this unique competition’s ability as a platform for players to announce themselves on the big stage, as they contend with watchful expectations of representing their country and played for a team rather than just themselves. Italy defeated Australia in the final, and it was Sinner who would provide the winning moment, putting in a ruthless performance to blow past Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-0 and bring the title home. Yet, the final will not be...
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Novak Djokovic furious over being asked to undergo doping tests 90 minutes before Davis Cup match

Novak Djokovic may be on the cusp of an all-time great tennis season, but he is not doing so without notable controversy. The Serb was fuming at being asked to undergo a dope test ahead of his Davis Cup match against Britain’s Cameron Norrie, and highlighted that it was unusual for him to be tested just 90 minutes before the tie. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), however, maintained that this was standard practice at a team competition. Djokovic made his anger known after routinely dispatching Norrie 6-4, 6-4 against a partisan crowd in the Spanish city of Malaga. “I didn’t believe that they could make such a decision, in 20 and more years of my career, it never happened to me that an hour-and-a-half before the match, I needed to go for doping control,” he was quoted as ...