Nirupama trapped in semi-final Webb

NEW DELHI, NOV 21: India’s Nirupama Vaidyanathan ensured her best ever year-end ranking in the last four years before losing in the semi-finals of the $25,000 Port Pirie Challenger in Australia, yesterday. She had a quarterfinal finish last week. Along with the 13 points for the semifinal and nine for the quarterfinals, the 22 points will help her move up from 187 by about 20 spots in a couple of weeks, and assures her of her best year end finish.

In the Port Pirie Challenger, Nirupama beat Marketa Kochta (Ger), Mareze Joubert (RSA) and Trudy Musgrave (Aus) on her way to the semis, but failed against Webb, the No.1 collegiate player in the US, whom she had beaten last week at Mount Gambier.

She is scheduled to play at Nuriootpa Challenger next week, but may skip and reach Delhi well in time for the $75,000 tournament beginning at the DTA Complex on November 30.