Viktor does a brutal act

BANGALORE, JANUARY 20: Viktor Bruthans had once lost to Radim Zitko when they played for the same country -- Czechoslovakia -- in a junior...

BANGALORE, JANUARY 20: Viktor Bruthans had once lost to Radim Zitko when they played for the same country — Czechoslovakia — in a junior tournament. On Thursday, Bruthans, playing for Slovakia, exacted revenge when he shut out seventh seed Zitko of the Czech Repbulic to enter the semifinals of the Wearhouse-Century Club ITF Futures men’s tennis championships.

The unassuming Bruthans, down 1-5 in the final set, survived three match points before winning 6-2, 1-6, 7-5 in a 112-minute battle.

Nitin Kirtane, the lone Indian entry in the quarter-finals, fizzled out in over 40 minutes when he lost to Denis Golovanov of Russia 1-6, 2-6.

Story continues below this ad

However, Nitin alongwith cousin Sandeep, won over the Russian pair of Denis Golovanov and Ivanov Smolenski 7-6 (10-8), 7-6 (7-3) to reach the doubles last four stage. They became the second Indian pair to achieve this after top-seeded Prahlad Srinath and Saurav Panja.

Fourth seeded Boris Borgula of Slovakia defeated fifth seed Israeli Andy Ram 7-5, 6-4 to become the only seeded player in the semi-final.

Results (all quarter-finals, prefix indicates seeding)

Singles: Viktor Bruthans (Svk) bt 7-Radim Zitko (Cze) 6-2, 1-6, 7-5; Denis Golovanov (Rus) bt Nitin Kirtane 6-1, 6-2; 4-Boris Borgula (Svk) bt 5-Andy Ram 7-5, 6-4; Kobi Ziv (Isr) bt Arne Kreitz (Ger) 6-4, 6-4.

Doubles (quarters): 3-Miles Macalagan (Grb)/Aisam Qureshi (Pak) bt Ravikiran Bhat/Nirmit Shetty (Ind) 6-4, 6-0; 2-Nitin/Sandeep Kirtane bt Denis Golovanov (Rus)/Ivanov Smolenski 7-6 (10-8), 7-6 (7-3).

Story continues below this ad

Semi-final line-up (Singles): Viktor Bruthans (Svk) vs Denis Golovanov (Rus); 4-Boris Borgula (Svk) vs Kobi Ziv.

Doubles: 3-Miles Macalagan (Grb)/Aisam Uureshi (Pak) vs Nitin/Sandeep Kirtane (Ind); Prahlad Srinath/Saurav Panja (Ind) vs Andy Ram/Nir Welgreen (Isr).

Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary, India's superfan, with Pakistan team's superfan Chacha Cricket, whose real name is Chaudhry Abdul Jalil. (Special arrangement)

Beyond bitterness on field, a tale of two superfans Sudhir and Chacha

Sports2 hr ago

Chacha Cricket and Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary, passionate cricket fans from Pakistan and India, have formed an unexpected bond despite their countries' rivalry. They consider cricket a game of love, not hate, and their friendship serves as a reminder to respect opponents.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS