Indian sports wrap, February 26: Vaidehee reaches quarterfinals in Burnie
TENNIS
Vaidehee reaches W35 quarterfinals in Burnie
Vaidehee Chaudhari progressed to the quarterfinals of the ITF W35 event in Burnie, Australia, on Thursday.
Fourth seed Vaidehee defeated local wildcard Belle Thompson 7-6(4), 6-3 in their second-round clash in an hour and 48 minutes.
In the quarterfinals, World No. 470 Vaidehee will be up against Chinese World No. 717 Chengyiyi Yuan.
At the W15 event in Gurugram, Zeel Desai beat Yashaswini Panwar 6-2, 6-1 in the second round. Zeel, the only Indian left in the draw, will face fifth-seeded Japanese Michika Ozeki for a place in the semifinals.
– Team Sportstar
GOLF
Abhishek produces tournament low of 64 to win DP World PGTI NexGen
Abhishek Kumar fired a tournament-low, bogey-free eight-under 64 in the third and final round to script a sensational come-from-behind victory at the Rs 25 lakh DP World PGTI NexGen event in Faridabad on Thursday.
The Panchkula-based gofler (72-73-64), who was overnight tied 10th and eight shots off the lead, delivered eight birdies in the last round, including five on the trot, to outshine all his rivals as he ended the week with a tournament total of seven-under 209.
The two-shot triumph accounted for Abhishek’s maiden professional win.
Aditya Raj Singh Chahal (69-68-74), the overnight leader by five shots, carded a 74 in round three to finish second at a total of five-under 211 at the NexGen season-opener played at the Aravalli Golf Club.
Jujhar Singh (72) took third place at two-under 214.
Abhishek said, “My aim at the start of the day was to shoot a five-under to give myself a chance. But after that run of five consecutive birdies in the middle of the round followed by a great par save on the 12th , I gained in confidence and sensed a good opportunity of winning.
“Following the birdies on the 16 th and 17 th , I knew that I had to only make par on the 18 th to win and I managed to do that. My driving, iron shots and chipping were just outstanding.
“After my poor performance at the DP World PGTI Qualifying School in January, this win gives me a lot of self-belief.”
– PTI
No 1 Thitikul struggles in first round of LPGA Singapore led by Kim
Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul struggled during the first round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship on Thursday in Singapore, shooting a 1-over 73 to trail the leader by seven strokes.
Thitikul won last week’s tournament in her native Thailand and is among nine out of the top 10 players entered in the Singapore LPGA stop on the Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong course.
American Auston Kim birdied two of her final three holes for a 66 and a one-stroke lead over China’s Yan Liu. Five players were tied for third with 68s, including No. 12-ranked Haeran Ryu. Defending champion Lydia Ko had a 70, as did Brooke Henderson.
Kim said she opened with a 78 at the Singapore tournament last year.
“When I think about my game and myself as a golfer since last year … I mean it obviously feels great to score well. But I just I feel like I can handle things a lot better and I’ve been talking with my mental coach, as well,” Kim said.
“There are a lot of things that I’ve changed and a lot of things I feel like I’m doing better. Today was a testament to what we’ve been working on, and I’m working hard on what I can control.” Joining Thitikul among the top-ranked players well out of the lead were third-ranked Charley Hull and fourth-ranked Minjee Lee, who each shot 72.
No. 2-ranked Nelly Korda is the only player from the top 10 not in Singapore. The tournament is the second of three stops on the LPGA’s early year Asian swing, with the final one next week at Hainan Island, China.
– PTI
Published on Feb 26, 2026