Harika plays out draw against Mustafa
Reykjavik: Indian Grand Master Harika Dronavalli eked out a hard-fought draw against higher-rated Mustafa Yilmaz of Turkey in round eight of the Rejkjavik Open chess tournament here. Harika, who had a glorious opportunity to break into the top five in the points table could not breach the Turkish Grand Master's defence and with time running out both the players decided to call it a day and share the spoils. "It was a very complicated game from the beginning. Even though I got into good positions, I took a lot more time than Mustafa and was down on time from the early stages," Harika said. "I had managed to get into position with my pawn up at the end but left my king a little open. I offered a draw even though I was in a better position and my opponent agreed. I have no regrets as I played an interesting game," she added. At the end of day's play, the World No 11 Indian has now five wins, two draws and a loss to her credit.
Ghosal, four other Indians win in Squash
Chennai: Top men's squash player Saurav Ghosal led four other Indians into the prequarterfinals of the 19th Asian Individual Squash Championship here on Wednesday. Second-seed Ghosal breezed past Singapore's Benedict Chan 11-2, 11-3, 11-5 to join compatriots Vikram Malhotra (10th seed), Mahesh Mangaonkar (11th seed), Harinder Pal Sandhu (15th-seed) and Velavan Senthilkumar in the third round. Mangaonkar beat Vivian Rhamanan of Singapore 11-4, 11-7, 11-6, while Malhotra defeated Alireza Shameli of Iran 11-7, 11-8, 15-13. Earlier, Senthilkumar brushed aside Soheil Shameli of Iran 11-1, 11-5, 11-5 in the first round and received a walk over from Farhan Zaman of Pakistan. Harinder defeated Reymark Begornia of Philippines 11-1, 11-5, 11-4. In the women's section, Indian player Sunayna Kuruvilla stunned 12th-seed Choe Yura of Korea in straight games.
Sindhu wins, Saina bows out
WUHAN: Rio Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu cruised into the second round but compatriot Saina Nehwal bowed out fighting in the Badminton Asia Championships here on Wednesday. The world number three Indian, who clinched the India Super Series early this month, defeated Dinar Dyah Ayustine of Indonesia 21-8, 21-18 in a lop-sided encounter that lasted just 31 minutes. london Games bronze medallist, Saina, however, lost to Japan's Sayaka Sato 19-21, 21-16, 21-18 in the women's singles after slogging it for more than an hour. Seeded seventh, Saina had won bronze medal twice in the prestigious event. Ajay Jayaram, who reached a career-best ranking of World No 13 last Thursday, defeated fifth seeded Houwei Tian of China 21-18, 18-21, 21-19 to progress to the second round of the men's singles event. 2015 Swiss Open champion H S Prannoy lost to Ng Ka long Angus, going down 16-21, 21-13, 19-21.