Harika wins, takes semis to tiebreaker

TEHRAN: Indian GM Dronavalli Harika was back in the hunt at the World Women’s Chess Championship winning the second game against Tan Zhongyi of China to take the semifinal into a tie-breaker.

The loss in the first game of the semifinal might have pegged back most of the chess players but Harika proved she is made of sterner stuff.

The Indian has been involved in every single tiebreaker of the championship thus far and has won all her matches in tiebreak games only. That said, Zhongyi has shown herself to be well prepared and it will be a contest to watch.

The other second game of the semifinal saw Alexandra Kosteniuk of Russia bowing out of the $450000 championship after she lost her second straight game against Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine. DUBAI: Angelique Kerber lost the chance to return to the top of the WTA rankings, after losing 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) to Elina Svitolina in the Dubai Tennis Championships semifinals.

Had Kerber won the tournament, she would have retaken the world No 1 spot she held after winning the US Open in September, until Serena Williams wrestled it back in claiming Australian Open. But Kerber, winner of two Grand Slams in 2016, fell victim to back problems during her match with Svitolina, who has now won her last three meetings with the 29-year-old German.

MARSEILLE: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga stayed on course for a second successive title as he beat Australia’s Nick Kyrgios 7-6(5) 2-6 6-4 to reach the final of the Marseille Open on Saturday. Tsonga claimed his first title since 2015 last week in Rotterdam and maintained his form against Kyrgios.