Dhaka, Jan 10 (UNB) – Mahadi Hasan Alve of Bangladesh reached the boys’ singles semifinal of the ITF Asian U-14 Development Tennis Championship beating Aarav Huda of Nepal by 7-5, 7-6 (1) in the quarterfinal held in the Thai capital of Bangkok on Thursday.

In place-deciding matches, Zubaid Utsho (BAN) beat Jigme Norbu (BHU) 4-1, 5-3 while Md Roman Hossain (BAN) defeated Cristano S. De Silva (MAC) by 4-0, 4-0. 

In the girls’ singles quarterfinals, Mashfia Afrin (BAN) lost to Maria Breidy (LBN) 0-6, 0-6 and Suborna Khatun (BAN) conceded defeat to A Pasonva (KGZ) 2-6, 0-3 (retired).

In the girls’ singles place-decider, Sadia Afrin (BAN) beat Sonam Chuki Dorji (BHU) 4-2, 4-1 at the same venue on Thursday.

Dhaka, Jan 8 (UNB) – Bangladeshi players made a good start in the Division-2 competition of the ITF Asian Under-14 Development Championship that began on Tuesday in Bangkok.

In the boys’ singles, Mahadi Hasan Alvi (BAN) beat Raudhak Maumoon (MDV) by 6-0, 6-0 games, Zubaid Utsho (BAN) defeated Selim Pirjikov (TKM) 6-0, 6-2 while M Roman Hossain (BAN) lost to Hasan Ali (PAK) 4-6, 4-6.

In the girls’ singles, Mashfia Afrin (BAN) outplayed Layan Mohamed Shamin (MDV) 6-3, 6-1, Suborna Khatun (BAN) crushed Tenzin Wangsel Lhaden (BHU) 6-1, 6-1 while Sadia Afrin (BAN) trounced H Han Thu Thu Htet (MYA) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (3).

Junior players of 14 countries -– Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macao, the Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan -- are taking part in the 11-day meet in two phases – first phase from January 8-12 and the second one from January 14-18.

Two top teams of the meet will qualify for the Division-1.
 
Besides, individual ranking of the players will also be increased in Under-14 category through their skills and performances.

Dhaka, Jan 07 (UNB) – A six-member Bangladesh Junior Tennis team will take part in the Division-2 competition of the ITF Asian Under-14 Development Championship in Bangkok on Tuesday.

Bangladesh team comprises three boys and three girls. They are accompanied by BTF chief coach Mozahidul Haque. The players are: Mohammad Roman Hossain, Mahadi Hasan Alvi, Jubair Utsha, Mashfia Arefin, Sadia Arefin and Suborna Khatun.  

Fourteen nations – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macao, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan — will compete in the 11-day meet in two phases — Jan 8-12 and Jan 14-18.

Two top teams of the meet will qualify for the Division-1 from Division-2. 

Besides, individual ranking of the players will also be increased in Under-14 category through their skills and performances    
 

Sydney, Jan 6 (AP/UNB) — No. 1-ranked Simona Halep returns to competitive tennis this week at the Sydney International unsure if her back injury has fully healed.

It will be the first time Halep has played since the French Open champion ended her season in October due to a herniated disc in her back.

And while the injury didn't require surgery, Halep, who has previously battled similar injuries during her junior years, has spent much of the past three months off the court.

"It was very scary because it was below the back, so it's always dangerous. But I had treatment at home," Halep said while sailing around Sydney Harbour on Sunday.

"I rested for about six weeks and I did nothing, just exercises for the back. I didn't have pain while I was practicing this period, off-season. So now I feel confident and it's OK. But I need to see during the official match."

Halep got off to a strong start last year, reaching the Australian Open final (losing to Caroline Wozniacki) and claiming her first Grand Slam title in Paris (beating Sloane Stephens) before losing her final four matches of the season, including a first-round defeat at the U.S. Open.

She will start the season without a coach after Australian Darren Cahill said in November he wanted to spend more time with his family. Cahill, who has spent the past four years with Halep, is taking a 12-month break.

The 27-year-old Halep said she will not consider a new coach for at least the next few months.

"(He) was a very big part of my career and I want to thank him for that," she said. "Together we won the Grand Slam that we always wished for. It's going to be tough, I'm sure. ... but he decided this and I fully understood because family comes first always."

With a bye in the first round in Sydney, Halep will meet either Jelena Ostapenko or Ashleigh Barty in the second round before a possible quarterfinal against Karolina Pliskova.

Dhaka, Jan 5 (UNB) – Bangladeshi GM Ziaur Rahman of Saif SC shared the 3rd slot with seven other players in the IIFL Wealth 4th Mumbai International Grandmaster Chess Tournament securing 4.5 points after the 6th round matches held in Mumbai, India on Friday.

FM Mohammad Fahad Rahman, also of Saif SC, earned 4 points. FM Mehdi Hasan Parag of Golden Sporting Club, CM Subrota Biswas of Uttara Central Chess Club and Md Abzid Rahman of Janata Bank Officer Welfare Society collected 2.5 points each. 

Nayem Haque of Mir Chess Club bagged 2 points, CM Sohel Chowdhury of Titas Club earned 1.5 points while Sazzad Kishore of Dhaka Knight’s Club and Ali Ahsan Jewel earned one point each. 

In the 6th round matches on Friday, GM Zia beat IM Tran Minh Thang of Vietnam, FM Fahad beat Subhayan Kundu of India, FM Parag lost to GM Czebe Attila of Hungary, CM Subrota drew with Tarun Kanyamarala of Ireland, Abzid drew with WIM Mahalakshmi of India, Nayem drew with WGM Safranska Anda of France, CM Sohel drew with Regmi Shikhar of Nepal, Sazzad drew with Laoussing Mathis of France and Jewel lost to Arya Nirag Shah of Hong Kong. 

The 7th round matches were in progress on Saturday. 

Meanwhile, in the junior (under-13) event of the meet, Tahsin Tajwar Zia of Golden Sporting Club earned 5.5 points after 7th round games.
 
Marzouq Chowdhury and Warsia Khusbu of Elegant International Chess Academy collected 3 points each, Zaif Khandkar of Elegant International Chess Academy earned 2 points each while Syed Ridwan of Elegant International Chess Academy earned 1.5 points after 7th round games. 

In the day’s 7th round junior event on Saturday, Tahsin drew with Laddha Shubh Jayesh of USA, Marzouq lost to Amrit Raunak of India, Khusbu drew with Om Nilesh Deorukhakar of India, Zaif lost to Verma Vivaan of India and Ridwan lost to Praket Tiwaskar of India.