Kashyap’s loss ends India’s Singapore Open campaign

SINGAPORE: India’s campaign in the Singapore Open Super Series badminton tournament ended on Saturday as Parupalli Kashyap conceded a one game advantage to go down to Hong Kong’s Hu Yun in the semifinals of the men’s singles here.

The world No 15 Indian lost 22-20, 11-21, 14-21 to Yun, ranked 13th, in a contest that lasted 58 minutes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in the $300,000 event.

After this match, Yun has taken a 3-1 lead in career meetings against Kashyap.

The 28-year-old shuttler from Hyderabad started off with a bang, opening up a 3-0 lead and then extending it to 12-4.

But just when Kashyap thought of wrapping up the game with ease, Yun fought back to make it 19-19 but a cautious Kashyap held on to win the first game.

In the second game, Kashyap completely ran out of steam losing 21-11, to take it to the decider. The third game turned out to be no different for Kashyap which he lost 14-21.

INDIA LOSE TO CHINA HASTINGS, NEW ZEALAND: The Indian women’s hockey team lost 1-2 to China in the opening match of the Hawke’s Bay Cup at the Hastings Sports Park here on Saturday.

While Anuradha Thokochom scored for India in the 31st minute, Mengyu Wang (34th) and Qian Yu (38th) gave China the victory in the eight-nation tournament. In the next match on Sunday, India will take on the United States.

ROAD TO WIMBLEDON

NEW DELHI: Four Indian junior tennis players —Shashank Teertha, Sacchitt Sharma, Prinkle Singh and Mahak Jain -- sealed their place in the England’s national grass court championship by emerging as the finalists of the ‘Road to Wimbledon’ event which concluded, here on Saturday.

Sacchitt beat Shashank 6-2 6-4 in the boys final while Mahak outplayed Prinkle 6-1 6-1 in the girls final of the Masters event in which 16 boys and 16 girls competed. The four Indian players will now compete in UK’s championship in August 2015 at the All England Club.