Tag: IndianTennis

Sports

Parth Deorukhakar, Unnathi Muralidhar Clinch Singles Titles at Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026

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Panaji, February 2026: The prestigious Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 concluded on a high note at the iconic Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias courts, with young talents delivering standout performances across open and junior categories.

Nineteen-year-old Parth Deorukhakar clinched the Open Men’s Singles title, while Unnathi V. Muralidhar lifted the Open Women’s Singles crown on the final day of the tournament. Parth capped off a memorable campaign by also winning the Men’s Doubles title, completing an impressive double at the 11th edition of the tournament.

Parth displayed composure and grit in a high-quality men’s singles final, defeating Praneeth Venugopal in straight sets 7-6(2), 7-5. In the women’s singles final, Unnathi produced a spirited comeback to overcome Nidi S, winning 2-6, 6-4, 10-3 in a closely fought encounter.

Junior categories witnessed equally thrilling contests. Gargi Oak dominated the Girls Under-12 final, defeating Urvi Pai Panandiker 4-0, 4-0, before going on to secure a second title in the Girls Under-16 category, where she defeated Tvisha Sardesai 4-1, 4-1 to complete a double.

The Boys Under-16 final saw Arav Naik edge past Kyan Mavany in a nail-biting three-set match, winning 4-0, 2-4, 11-9. In the Boys Under-12 final, Kriyansh RM clinched the title after defeating Divyaraj Chouhan 4-1, (7)3-4, 10-7.

In the doubles events, Parth Deorukhakar and Arnav Bansode claimed the Men’s Doubles title, defeating Ashwin Narsinghani and Prathamesh Patil 7-6(4), 6-2. The Mixed Doubles crown was won by Trisha Vinod and Maaz Khan, who defeated Anupama Darade and Eshaan Khadeer 7-6(6), 6-0.

The winners were felicitated at a prize distribution ceremony by Sankalp Thali, Business Head, Gadre Premium Seafood; Edwin Menezes, former secretary and executive committee member of the host club; Vinesh Pickle, treasurer of the host club; Bulu Godinho, head of the tournament’s organising committee; and Sameer Kakodkar, President of the Goa State Tennis Association.

Jointly organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias and the Gadre Group, in association with the Goa State Tennis Association (GSTA), the tournament saw enthusiastic participation across age groups and continues to serve as a key competitive platform for emerging and established tennis players in Goa.

Entertainment

Sania Mirza Opens Up on Emotional Struggles Post Separation: “Farah Khan Saved Me That Day”

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Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza has always been known for her strength — both on and off the court. But in a rare and heartfelt moment, she opened up about her emotional struggles following her separation from former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, sharing how her close friend Farah Khan stood by her during one of her darkest times.

During a candid chat, Sania revealed an incident where she nearly broke down before going on a live show.

“I don’t want to mention it on camera,” Sania said, “but there was a moment that was one of the lowest points. You showed up on my set, and I had to go live after that. I was shivering. If you hadn’t come there, I wouldn’t have done that show. You told me, ‘No matter what, you are doing this show.’”

Responding to this, Farah Khan said,

“I got so scared. I have never seen you get a panic attack. I had to shoot that day, but I left everything and came in my pyjamas and chappals.”

The heart-to-heart between the two icons has touched fans across social media, serving as a reminder of the importance of genuine friendship and emotional support — especially for women in the spotlight.

Despite her personal struggles, Sania continues to inspire millions with her resilience and honesty, proving that vulnerability can be a form of strength.

✨ A moment of truth, courage, and friendship — one that reflects the real Sania Mirza.

#SaniaMirza #FarahKhan #ShoaibMalik #Allycaral #WomenInSports #EmotionalStrength #Friendship #Bollywood #CelebrityStories

Sports

Sumit Nagal Helps India Beat Switzerland for Davis Cup 2025 Qualifiers Spot

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

India scripted a memorable chapter in its tennis history on Saturday by defeating ninth-seeded Switzerland 3-1 in their Davis Cup 2025 World Group I tie at the Swiss Tennis Arena in Biel. This landmark victory has booked the Indian team a spot in the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers, scheduled for early next year. More significantly, it marks India’s first win against a European nation on their home soil in over three decades—since 1993 when the team famously beat France 3-2 in the quarter-finals with legends Leander Paes and Ramesh Krishnan.

Heading into the second day of the tie with a 2-0 lead, thanks to opening-day singles victories by Dhakshineswar Suresh and Sumit Nagal, India needed just one more win to close out the contest. However, the doubles pair of N Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Bollipalli couldn’t seal the deal, falling to Jakub Paul and Dominic Stricker in a tightly contested three-setter. Despite taking the first set via a tiebreak, the Indian duo was broken late in the second and third sets, resulting in a 6(3)-7(7), 6-4, 7-5 loss that lasted two hours and 21 minutes.

With the tie still open, Switzerland brought in 18-year-old Henry Bernet to face India’s top singles player, Sumit Nagal. Unfazed by the pressure, Nagal delivered a clinical performance, breaking Bernet three times in the opening set and once in the second to secure a commanding 6-1, 6-3 win. His victory ensured that India would advance to the 2026 Qualifiers, a significant milestone considering the team had not progressed beyond World Group I since the Davis Cup format was revamped in 2019.

India, a three-time Davis Cup runner-up in 1966, 1974, and 1987, continues to chase the elusive title. With this victory, the team not only progresses to the next stage but also boosts confidence in its younger players and sets the stage for a strong campaign next year.

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Vece Paes, Olympic Hockey Medallist and Father of Leander Paes, Passes Away at 80

Tanisha Cardozo

India bids farewell to Dr. Vece Paes, a decorated Olympian, passionate sportsman, and respected administrator, who passed away at the age of 80. Known for his achievements on and off the field, he leaves behind a legacy that spans decades and disciplines.

🏑 The Athlete

Dr. Paes was a midfielder in the Indian hockey team that won a bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics — a highlight in Indian hockey’s storied history. A charismatic presence on the field, he was part of the generation that upheld India’s hockey legacy on the world stage.

🩺 The Scholar and Healer

After retiring from hockey, Paes went on to become a sports medicine specialist, serving as a medical consultant for the Asian Cricket Council, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and other major sports organizations. He was instrumental in promoting anti-doping education and modern sports science in India.

🏆 The Leader

Dr. Paes held leadership roles across Indian sport — he served as President of the Indian Rugby Football Union (1996–2002) and also presided over the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club, one of the oldest clubs in the world.

👨‍👦 The Father and Mentor

Dr. Paes was also the proud father of Leander Paes, India’s tennis icon and Olympic bronze medallist. Their bond went beyond family, with Leander often citing his father as his “inspiration and best friend.” A touching moment was captured when Dr. Paes made a surprise video for his son after a Grand Slam win — filled with humor, pride, and gentle prodding about retirement.

“You’ve impressed us,” he said, “but when are you retiring?”
Leander, visibly moved, responded, “That’s the first time he’s said I impressed him.”

🕊️ A Nation Mourns

Dr. Paes had been battling advanced Parkinson’s disease and was admitted to a city hospital earlier this week before his peaceful passing. Hockey India mourned the loss, calling him “an unshakable pillar of Indian sports.”

His contributions were not just to Indian hockey, but to the broader sporting ecosystem — a rare blend of excellence in competition, innovation in medicine, and integrity in administration.

🙏 Rest in power, Dr. Vece Paes.
 Your legacy will continue through every athlete you mentored, every cause you championed, and every Indian who takes pride in sport.