KATHMANDU, Dec 3: Both men and women Nepali teams have advanced into the semifinals of lawn tennis at the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) in Satdobato on Monday.
In the quarterfinal match of women’s team event at the Lawn Tennis Court, Nepal defeated Bangladesh in straight sets of 3-0 to reach the semifinals.
Likewise, in men’s singles, Nepal’s Pranab Khanal saw off Mohammed Almagir in straight sets of 6-0, 6-1, while Samrakshyak Bajracharya reached the semifinals as Shree Amol Ray got injured after the game was tied on 1-1 with the score of 2-6 in the first set and 6-2 in the second.
In men’s doubles, the pair of Nepal’s Nabin Paija and Pradeep Khadka won on straight sets 3-0 to reach the last four. Nepal will face India, who reached the semifinals after getting a bye.
In men’s team event, Bhutan advanced into the semifinals as it defeated the Maldives on straight sets 3-0. In men’s singles, Pema Norbu Abdullah Fazil 7-6 (5), 5-5 (retired). Likewise, Tandin Wankchuk saw off Ignaj Mansoor 6-2, 6-4.
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In men’s doubles, the pair of Bhutan’s Nidrup Gyachhen and Pema Norbu overcame Mansoor 4-6, 6-4, 4-6 (3). Bhutan will now take on Pakistan in the semifinals.
Likewise, in men’s singles, Pakistan got past Sri Lanka 2-1 as Aisam Ul Haq Quaresi saw off Sharmal Disanayake 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, while in the other match, Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Kantan Tharangaraj overcame Akil Khan 6-1, 6-0.
In men’s doubles, Muhammad Abid and Mujamil Murtaza sent Pakistan into the last four with wins over Suren Balachandran and Nilabira Chaturya Danidu 6-3, 6-3.
In women’s team event, Nepal and Sri Lanka reached the semifinals. Nepal beat the Maldives 3-0.
Likewise, in women’s singles, Nepal’s Saloni Tamang saw off Aayani Musa Kalim 6-4, 6-0, while Prerana Koirala beat Jina Abdur Rasid 6-1, 6-3.
In women’s doubles, Rayana Shah and Prakriti Shrestha gave Nepal a 6-3, 6-3 win over Rifga Najib and Mariyam Hamsa Hazib.
Also, Sri Lanka saw off Bangladesh 3-0. Anika Sinebhiratne overcame Jarin Sultana Joli 6-2, 6-3, while Anjalika Kureira beat Akthar Tripti 6-0, 6-1. In the doubles, Alana Sinebhiratne and Ruksika Bijsurya claimed a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Ishita Afros and Sushmita Seb.
Table Tennis
Nepal has registered a win in the first match of the men’s team event in table tennis on Sunday.
At the Table Tennis Hall in Lainchaur, Nepal beat Sri Lanka 3-1 to claim its first win of the competition and now will take on the Maldives on Tuesday in the second match. The Nepali team consisted of Santoo Shrestha, Purushottam Bajracharya and Shiv Sundar Gothe.
In the other match played on the same day, India registered wins against Pakistan and Bangladesh. India won both the games on straight sets of 3-0. With the wins, India has already advanced into the semifinals.
In its first match played earlier on the day, Sri Lanka easily saw off the Maldives 3-0.
In women’s team event, Nepal faced a 3-0 loss against Sri Lanka and now will have to beat Bangladesh on Tuesday to have any chance of going through to the semis.
In the other matches, India beat both the Maldives and Pakistan on straight sets of 3-0, while Sri Lanka overcame Bangladesh 3-1. India has reached the last four in the category as well.
