Tag: Tennis

Sports

Baale BPS Open 2026 Kicks Off Strong as Masters 45+ Players Shine

Tanisha Cardozo

The third edition of the Baale BPS Open 2026 got underway with an impressive display of skill and competitive spirit in the Masters 45+ Singles category at B.P.S. Sports Club in Margao. Veteran players set the tone early in the state-ranking tournament, delivering a series of decisive performances as they progressed through the opening rounds.

The tournament was inaugurated at the Margao venue in the presence of key dignitaries from the local tennis and sporting community, marking the beginning of what promises to be an exciting edition. From the outset, players showcased sharp form, with several dominant wins highlighting the opening day’s action. Sameer secured a commanding 6-0 victory over Anup, while Pankaj Naik mirrored that performance with a clinical win against Brian by the same margin. Kalyananaraman B advanced with a confident 6-2 win over Rohan L, and Marcus edged past Kedar in a closely fought contest, finishing 6-4. Ehrlick also progressed comfortably with a 6-0 victory over T Kulkarni.

The intensity continued into the second round, where Dimitry delivered a composed performance to defeat Sidharth S 6-2. Neville battled through a tight match against Sameer, eventually winning 7-5, while Kalyananaraman B maintained his strong run with a convincing 6-1 victory over Kishore. Marcus continued his steady form with a solid 6-3 win against Naveen, further underlining the competitive depth in the veterans’ category.

Supported by Baale Resort Goa and conducted under the aegis of the Goa State Tennis Association, the tournament has attracted a total of 197 entries across junior, open, and veterans’ categories. The growing participation reflects the tournament’s rising stature within Goa’s sporting calendar. This year’s edition has also introduced new veterans’ events, including the Masters 60+ Singles and Masters 100+ Doubles categories, expanding opportunities for senior players to compete at a structured level.

The tournament will run over 11 days at the B.P.S. Sports Club courts, with matches scheduled across multiple categories. As the competition progresses, players and spectators alike can expect more high-quality tennis and closely contested matches, reinforcing the event’s reputation as one of the state’s premier tennis tournaments.

Sports

Praneeth, Parth–Arnav Charge Into Finals at Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

The Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 continued to deliver high-quality tennis and edge-of-the-seat encounters as the tournament moved into its decisive stages in Panaji. Men’s Singles saw Praneeth produce a composed and resilient performance to overcome Eshaan in a closely contested three-set semifinal, clinching the match 7-5, 5-7, 11-9 to book his place in the final. In the other semifinal, Parth Deorurkhkar showcased grit and tactical awareness, bouncing back after dropping the second set to defeat Ashwin 6-2, 2-6, 10-5.

The men’s doubles competition witnessed Parth Deorurkhkar and Arnav Bansode maintaining their impressive run, defeating Maaz and Arnav H. 7-6(4), 6-2 to progress into the final. They will face Ashwin and Prathamesh, who edged past Paul and Nilesh 6-3, 7-5 in a competitive semifinal.

In the women’s singles semifinals, Unnathi staged a strong comeback after losing the opening set to defeat Sonicka 1-6, 6-4, 10-7. She will meet Nidi S, a first-time contestant, who caused a major upset by defeating defending champion Trisha Vinod in the other semifinal, setting up an exciting final clash.

Junior categories produced emphatic performances, with Gargi delivering a dominant display to claim the Girls Under-12 title, defeating Urvi 4-0, 4-0. In the Boys Under-12 segment, Divyaraj advanced to the final with a straight-sets win over Ethan. The Under-16 categories also saw decisive outcomes, as Kyan and Arav progressed to the boys’ final, while Tvisha advanced in the girls’ segment following Kimberly’s retirement due to injury.

Doubles events added further excitement, with Sonicka and Nidi reaching the ladies’ doubles final after a hard-fought win over Riya and Unnathi, while Trisha and Anupama sealed their place with a commanding victory over Tvisha and Bhavya. Mixed doubles semifinals saw contrasting contests, including a tight win for Anupama and Eshaan and a dominant performance by Trisha and Maaz.

Jointly organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias and the Gadre Group in association with the Goa State Tennis Association, the tournament has drawn a record 555 entries across Masters and Open segments, underlining its growing stature on the Indian tennis calendar and setting the stage for an exciting finals day.

Sports

Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 Records All-Time High with 555 Entries in 11th Edition

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Registrations for the Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 have officially closed, with the tournament recording a record-breaking 555 entries ahead of its 11th edition, marking a significant milestone in its journey as one of Goa’s most prominent tennis events. Scheduled to be held from January 22 to February 1 at the iconic Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Miramar, the tournament continues to draw players across age groups and competitive levels.

Jointly organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias and the Gadre Group in association with the Goa State Tennis Association, the tournament has once again witnessed strong participation across the Open, Junior and Masters categories. The 2026 edition is also notable for the introduction of the ladies’ doubles category for the first time, adding a new dimension to the competition.

The Open men’s singles category has attracted the highest participation with 111 entries, while the Open men’s doubles event has seen 37 pairs register. The Open ladies’ singles category has drawn 32 entries, with 14 pairs competing in the newly introduced ladies’ doubles. The Open mixed doubles segment has recorded 18 teams.

Junior participation has remained encouraging, with 25 players in the boys’ under-16 category and 14 in the girls’ under-16 event. In the under-12 division, 14 boys and five girls have registered, reflecting steady grassroots engagement in the sport.

The Masters segment has also recorded strong numbers, led by 70 entries in the 45+ men’s singles category, followed by 42 entries in the 60+ men’s singles and 30 entries in the 55+ men’s singles. In doubles, the 90+ men’s doubles category has emerged as the most subscribed with 60 teams, while the 110+ and 120+ doubles categories have recorded 43 and 32 teams respectively. The 35+ mixed doubles event has attracted eight teams.

Speaking on the occasion, Tanmay Kholkar, Secretary of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, said the tournament holds special significance this year as it coincides with the centenary celebrations of the club. Goa State Tennis Association President Sameer Kakodkar noted that the rising participation reflects the growing confidence players have in the tournament as a reliable and competitive platform across age groups.

Arjun Gadre of the Gadre Group expressed satisfaction at the sustained interest in the event, stating that the continued growth of the tournament reinforces its relevance within Goa’s sporting landscape. With matches spread over eleven days, the Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 is expected to deliver high-quality competition and continue its legacy as one of the most keenly followed tennis tournaments in the state.

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.

Fit & Fabulous

Naomi Osaka Stuns in Red Glittering Floral Outfit at US Open

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

New York, August 27, 2025: When tennis meets runway fashion, Naomi Osaka leads the way. The four-time Grand Slam champion made a bold style statement as she walked onto the court for her first-round match at the US Open 2025, wearing a striking red glittering floral outfit that instantly set social media abuzz.

The 27-year-old Japanese star paired her vibrant red ensemble with a black-and-red athletic kit and topped off the look with a perfectly braided hairstyle that matched the red tones of her outfit. Her look is already being dubbed the “sportswear look of the tournament” by fans and fashion critics alike.

“I’m not going to lie about it—it’s definitely the best look I’ve had for the day,” Osaka told courtside reporters. “It’s sporty, it’s fun, and it feels like me.”

Osaka’s outfit, which blends traditional floral elements with a modern, athletic edge, was designed in collaboration with her long-standing athletic wear partner. Her confident entrance onto the court was met with a cheer from fans in the stands and online, many of whom took to social media to praise her unapologetic style and presence.

Osaka’s commitment to self-expression has long been a part of her identity. From mental health advocacy to cultural representation, the tennis star has used every platform—on and off the court—to make an impact. Her bold look at the US Open continues that trend, blending sport, identity, and self-expression into one glittering moment.

Naomi Osaka’s return to the Grand Slam stage saw her matched up against Belgian player Greet Minnen in the first round. While fans focused on her return to competition, they were equally captivated by her commanding presence in this iconic outfit.