Indian sports wrap, February 20: Vaishnavi stuns Preston to reach Women’s ITF Bengaluru Open semifinals

TENNIS

Women’s ITF Bengaluru Open: Vaishnavi stuns Preston to reach semifinals

Vaishnavi Adkar continued her dream run at the women’s ITF Bengaluru Open, a USD 100,000 event, as she upset fourth seed Taylah Preston to reach the semifinals on Friday.

Vaishnavi, the 21-year-old wildcard currently ranked 690 in the world, took down Australian World No. 148 Preston 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 in an hour and 33 minutes at the S.M. Krishna Stadium. The Indian had earlier stunned eighth-seeded Japanese Mai Hontama in the second round.

World University Games bronze medallist Vaishnavi will face second-seeded Thai Lanlana Tararudee, World No. 126, for a place in the summit clash.

– Team Sportstar

ITF W15 Tennis Tournament, conducted by HCL, to take place in Gurugram

Following its successful initiatives in cycling, squash, and bridge, HCL Group on Friday announced the commencement of the HCL ITF W15 tennis tournament, scheduled from February 23 to March 1 at The Tennis Project, Gurugram.

The tournament will bring together 60 world-class players competing for crucial WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) world-ranking points and a total prize purse of USD 15,000.

The tournament provides an important platform for emerging Indian and international talent and features a highly competitive field. Thailand’s Anchisa Chanta (WTA Ranking 440) enters as the top seed, while India’s challenge is led by Zeel Desai (WTA Ranking 639), who is seeded fifth.

Five Indian players will secure direct entry into the main draw, four will receive wild cards in singles, and three pairs will feature in doubles for the main draw.

-Team Sportstar

ATHLETICS

Olympic medallist Vijender, tennis ace Bopanna to flag off New Delhi Marathon

Olympic medallist boxer Vijender Singh and the country’s ace tennis player Rohan Bopanna will flag off the 11th edition of the Cognizant New Delhi Marathon from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.

With over 30,000 participants expected to take part, the marathon is set to be one of the largest sporting events in the country.

Certified as a National Marathon by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), and acknowledged by World Athletics, the event continues to strengthen its position on the global athletic calendar.

This edition of the event has attracted participants from 31 countries, 490 cities, and 32 states and Union Territories of India.

The event will be held in four categories—full marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K.

India will be represented by an elite contingent, which includes Anish Thapa, A.B. Belliappa, Man Singh, Akshay Saini, T. Gopi, Bhagirathi Bisht, Nirmaben Thakor Bharatjee, Ashwini Madan Jadhav, Disket Dolma, and Stanzin Dolkar.

The marathon also serves as a qualifying race for the upcoming Asian Games.

-Team Sportstar

Published on Feb 20, 2026