Rushmi strikes the right chord

MUMBAI, Oct 16: It is either rhythm or else it is blues for Sai Jayalakshmi. Yesterday she was on a song, today she was pathetically out ...

MUMBAI, Oct 16: It is either rhythm or else it is blues for Sai Jayalakshmi. Yesterday she was on a song, today she was pathetically out of tune. With Rushmi Chakravarthi at the other end too striking frequent false notes, the duet was acrimonious. In the end it all boiled down to who was less error-prone. Rushmi managed the feat and record a 7-6 7-5, 6-3 and win the first leg of the UN Mehta ITF8217;s women8217;s circuit tennis tournament at the AGETA court here.

A confirmed slow starter, Sai showed early stage fright and was broken in the very first game. It seemed the error would prove disastrous for Sai as games went with the serve and Rushmi lead 5-4. But Sai struck that rare purple patch to get even.

The good work continued as Sai went into a 6-5 40-15 lead. But a few unforced errors saw Rushmi take the game into a tie-breaker. Doubles faults at crucial juntures saw Rushmi win take the tie-breaker at 7-5.

The second set was bizarre 8211; service games made little meaning and breaks were rampant. Of theopening five games of the set, there were four breaks. The opponents went neck to neck in the number of errors made and score was tied at 3-3. But then Sai overtook Rushmi and it was over. Rushmi took set at 6-3 and collected 650 first prize. Sai got 450.

The doubles finals between Sai-Rushmi and the Thai pair of Orawan Wongkamalmai and Montika Anuchan was interrupted by heavy showers. When the play was stopped the Indian girls were leading 4-2 in the second set after losing the first at 6-1.

The second leg of the circuit will be held at Pune from October 19 to 24.

The points availed the top eight players from the tournament are:

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Rushmi Chakravarthi 16; Sai Jayalakshmi 12; Shruti Dhawan 8; Orawan Wongkamalasai 8; Archana Venkatraman 6; Arthi Venkatraman 6; Anuchan Montika 6; Anna Nefedova 6.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More