×
Billie Jean King Cup: India bounces back to upset New Zealand, registers first win  India rode on its young singles players to bounce back and win its second tie against New Zealand 3-0 to stay in contention for a top-two finish of the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group I and a spot in the Playoffs here on Wednesday despite rains threatening to play spoilsport.After a disappointing 2-1 loss against Thailand in the opening tie that stretched across two days due to inclement weather, Vaishnavi Adkar and Sahaja Yamalapalli fought back, the latter within hours of her opening match, to give India a 2-0 lead at the DLTA Complex. The experienced pair of Ankita Raina and Rutuja Bhosale then completed the formalities with a 6-4, 6-2 win against the fancied pair of Erin Routliffe and Monique Barry to be third on the table.Vaishnavi, who was all over the place in the opening match on Tuesday, was far more in control of her shots and won 6-2, 6-4 against Aishi Das. Clearly superior to her 18-year-old opponent, ranked more than 700 places behind, Vaishnavi dominated with a more assured presence, relying on her accuracy and Aishi’s inconsistency to race to a 6-2 win in the first set.ALSO READ | Monte Carlo Masters 2026: Berrettini thumps Medvedev 6-0, 6-0With the sun shining through, Vaishnavi was able to control the ball’s speed much better and broke Aishi in the opening game itself, then again in the fifth and seventh games to take the set. Aishi put up an improved performance in the second, fighting back from being 4-1 down to level 4-4, but Vaishnavi quickly regained control and then served out the match when Aishi hit wide.Earlier, in the morning, India lost the opening tie against Thailand 2-1 after Patcharin Cheapchandej won her overnight match against Sahaja 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. Ankita and Rutuja completed a consolation win against Thesaporn Naklo/Peangtarn Plipuech 6-3, 6-4 in the doubles. Sahaja, who only had 5.5 hours between her two matches, showed no signs of fatigue against Valentina Ivanov in her 6-1, 6-3 win in one hour and 25 minutes.Intelligently mixing her strokes and pushing Valentina hard to earn every point across the court, Sahaja added soft drops and volleys to her powerful returns from the baseline to stay in control.
The results:

India bt New Zealand 3-0: Vaishnavi Adkar (Ind) bt Aishi Das (Nzl) 6-2, 6-4; Sahaja Yamalapalli (Ind) bt Valentina Ivanov (Nzl) 6-1, 6-3; Rutuja Bhosale/Ankita Raina (Ind) bt Monique Barry/Erin Routliffe (Nzl) 6-4, 6-2.

Indonesia bt Mongolia 3-0: Aldila Sutjiadi (Ina) bt Anu-Vjin Gantor (Mgl) 6-0, 6-0; Anjali Kirana Junarto (Ina) bt Khongorzul Aldarkhishig (Mgl) 6-2, 6-0; Anjali Kirana Junarto/Meydiana Laviola Reinnamah (Ina) bt Jargal Altansarnai/Oyungerel Khasbaatar (Mgl) 6-0, 6-0.

Korea bt Thailand: Dayeon Back (Kor) bt Anchisa Chanta (Tha) 6-3, 6-4; Sohyun Park (Kor) bt Patcharin Cheapchandej (Tha) 6-4, 6-1; Dayeon Back/Eunhye Lee (Kor) vs Thesaporn Naklo/Kamonwan Yodpetch (Tha)
Published on Apr 08, 2026  #Billie #Jean #King #Cup #India #bounces #upset #Zealand #registers #win

Billie Jean King Cup: India bounces back to upset New Zealand, registers first win

India rode on its young singles players to bounce back and win its second tie against New Zealand 3-0 to stay in contention for a top-two finish of the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group I and a spot in the Playoffs here on Wednesday despite rains threatening to play spoilsport.

After a disappointing 2-1 loss against Thailand in the opening tie that stretched across two days due to inclement weather, Vaishnavi Adkar and Sahaja Yamalapalli fought back, the latter within hours of her opening match, to give India a 2-0 lead at the DLTA Complex. The experienced pair of Ankita Raina and Rutuja Bhosale then completed the formalities with a 6-4, 6-2 win against the fancied pair of Erin Routliffe and Monique Barry to be third on the table.

Vaishnavi, who was all over the place in the opening match on Tuesday, was far more in control of her shots and won 6-2, 6-4 against Aishi Das. Clearly superior to her 18-year-old opponent, ranked more than 700 places behind, Vaishnavi dominated with a more assured presence, relying on her accuracy and Aishi’s inconsistency to race to a 6-2 win in the first set.

ALSO READ | Monte Carlo Masters 2026: Berrettini thumps Medvedev 6-0, 6-0

With the sun shining through, Vaishnavi was able to control the ball’s speed much better and broke Aishi in the opening game itself, then again in the fifth and seventh games to take the set. Aishi put up an improved performance in the second, fighting back from being 4-1 down to level 4-4, but Vaishnavi quickly regained control and then served out the match when Aishi hit wide.

Earlier, in the morning, India lost the opening tie against Thailand 2-1 after Patcharin Cheapchandej won her overnight match against Sahaja 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. Ankita and Rutuja completed a consolation win against Thesaporn Naklo/Peangtarn Plipuech 6-3, 6-4 in the doubles. Sahaja, who only had 5.5 hours between her two matches, showed no signs of fatigue against Valentina Ivanov in her 6-1, 6-3 win in one hour and 25 minutes.

Intelligently mixing her strokes and pushing Valentina hard to earn every point across the court, Sahaja added soft drops and volleys to her powerful returns from the baseline to stay in control.

The results:

India bt New Zealand 3-0: Vaishnavi Adkar (Ind) bt Aishi Das (Nzl) 6-2, 6-4; Sahaja Yamalapalli (Ind) bt Valentina Ivanov (Nzl) 6-1, 6-3; Rutuja Bhosale/Ankita Raina (Ind) bt Monique Barry/Erin Routliffe (Nzl) 6-4, 6-2.

Indonesia bt Mongolia 3-0: Aldila Sutjiadi (Ina) bt Anu-Vjin Gantor (Mgl) 6-0, 6-0; Anjali Kirana Junarto (Ina) bt Khongorzul Aldarkhishig (Mgl) 6-2, 6-0; Anjali Kirana Junarto/Meydiana Laviola Reinnamah (Ina) bt Jargal Altansarnai/Oyungerel Khasbaatar (Mgl) 6-0, 6-0.

Korea bt Thailand: Dayeon Back (Kor) bt Anchisa Chanta (Tha) 6-3, 6-4; Sohyun Park (Kor) bt Patcharin Cheapchandej (Tha) 6-4, 6-1; Dayeon Back/Eunhye Lee (Kor) vs Thesaporn Naklo/Kamonwan Yodpetch (Tha)

Published on Apr 08, 2026

#Billie #Jean #King #Cup #India #bounces #upset #Zealand #registers #win

India rode on its young singles players to bounce back and win its second tie against New Zealand 3-0 to stay in contention for a top-two finish of the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group I and a spot in the Playoffs here on Wednesday despite rains threatening to play spoilsport.

After a disappointing 2-1 loss against Thailand in the opening tie that stretched across two days due to inclement weather, Vaishnavi Adkar and Sahaja Yamalapalli fought back, the latter within hours of her opening match, to give India a 2-0 lead at the DLTA Complex. The experienced pair of Ankita Raina and Rutuja Bhosale then completed the formalities with a 6-4, 6-2 win against the fancied pair of Erin Routliffe and Monique Barry to be third on the table.

Vaishnavi, who was all over the place in the opening match on Tuesday, was far more in control of her shots and won 6-2, 6-4 against Aishi Das. Clearly superior to her 18-year-old opponent, ranked more than 700 places behind, Vaishnavi dominated with a more assured presence, relying on her accuracy and Aishi’s inconsistency to race to a 6-2 win in the first set.

ALSO READ | Monte Carlo Masters 2026: Berrettini thumps Medvedev 6-0, 6-0

With the sun shining through, Vaishnavi was able to control the ball’s speed much better and broke Aishi in the opening game itself, then again in the fifth and seventh games to take the set. Aishi put up an improved performance in the second, fighting back from being 4-1 down to level 4-4, but Vaishnavi quickly regained control and then served out the match when Aishi hit wide.

Earlier, in the morning, India lost the opening tie against Thailand 2-1 after Patcharin Cheapchandej won her overnight match against Sahaja 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. Ankita and Rutuja completed a consolation win against Thesaporn Naklo/Peangtarn Plipuech 6-3, 6-4 in the doubles. Sahaja, who only had 5.5 hours between her two matches, showed no signs of fatigue against Valentina Ivanov in her 6-1, 6-3 win in one hour and 25 minutes.

Intelligently mixing her strokes and pushing Valentina hard to earn every point across the court, Sahaja added soft drops and volleys to her powerful returns from the baseline to stay in control.

The results:

India bt New Zealand 3-0: Vaishnavi Adkar (Ind) bt Aishi Das (Nzl) 6-2, 6-4; Sahaja Yamalapalli (Ind) bt Valentina Ivanov (Nzl) 6-1, 6-3; Rutuja Bhosale/Ankita Raina (Ind) bt Monique Barry/Erin Routliffe (Nzl) 6-4, 6-2.

Indonesia bt Mongolia 3-0: Aldila Sutjiadi (Ina) bt Anu-Vjin Gantor (Mgl) 6-0, 6-0; Anjali Kirana Junarto (Ina) bt Khongorzul Aldarkhishig (Mgl) 6-2, 6-0; Anjali Kirana Junarto/Meydiana Laviola Reinnamah (Ina) bt Jargal Altansarnai/Oyungerel Khasbaatar (Mgl) 6-0, 6-0.

Korea bt Thailand: Dayeon Back (Kor) bt Anchisa Chanta (Tha) 6-3, 6-4; Sohyun Park (Kor) bt Patcharin Cheapchandej (Tha) 6-4, 6-1; Dayeon Back/Eunhye Lee (Kor) vs Thesaporn Naklo/Kamonwan Yodpetch (Tha)

Published on Apr 08, 2026

Source link
#Billie #Jean #King #Cup #India #bounces #upset #Zealand #registers #win

Death, taxes, and speculation about Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 future.

The sport has been dominated in recent weeks by speculation over Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, keyed by some difficult sessions this season. After crashes during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix and in the closing stages of the British Grand Prix — with Verstappen chasing a podium finish — it is confirmed that he cannot rise to the top two spots in the Drivers’ Championship standings by the summer shutdown, which comes after the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend.

With that, according to multiple reports, a clause in his Red Bull contract can be triggered, giving him an out for the 2027 season.

Sprinkle in a dash of the general frenzy that is the F1 driver transfer market, and you have arguably the dominant story ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

And despite his manager, Raymond Vermeulen, tamping down those rumors recently, the F1 world got a chance to hear from the driver himself on Thursday in the buildup to this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

And Verstappen made it clear that his focus is elsewhere.

Mainly, on turning the season around, and his “future” driving for Red Bull.

“There’s nothing to say,” answered Verstappen when asked about the speculation during the FIA Press Conference on Thursday. “I don’t want to say yes and no, and this and that about my future. I said already many times that if there was something new, I would say it myself.”

The driver then addressed the recent struggles, as well as his efforts alongside the team to right the ship.

“Now we’re just looking to the future trying to fix current issues that we have on the car, but that’s an open discussion,” he said. “Yes, sometimes you get a little bit disappointed or upset after a race, but for example after Silverstone, you go home and you reset.

“On Wednesday I was back at the factory and then you prepare again for the weekends ahead. That’s how I’ve been operating in all the years together. And of course, some years are just a little bit more competitive than others, but in terms of my approach and how we work as a team, nothing really changes.”

Part of that process is a focus on the rear wing of the RB22. That component — the revolving design referred to as the “Macarena” wing in the media — has been identified as the reason for those two high-speed crashes from Verstappen in recent weeks. The driver called the situation “super dangerous” when speaking to the media after the crash in Silverstone, and the team will reportedly shelve the component for this weekend.

But in terms of his future beyond Spa, Verstappen remained adamant on Thursday.

“Red Bull are like a second family to me,“ added the driver.

Here at SB Nation we are talking F1 every hour, every day. Join the discussion at the new F1 Feed, a community for Formula 1 fans!

#Belgian #Grand #Prix #Max #Verstappen #focused #future #Red #Bull">Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen is focused on the ‘future’ at Red Bull  Death, taxes, and speculation about Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 future.The sport has been dominated in recent weeks by speculation over Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, keyed by some difficult sessions this season. After crashes during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix and in the closing stages of the British Grand Prix — with Verstappen chasing a podium finish — it is confirmed that he cannot rise to the top two spots in the Drivers’ Championship standings by the summer shutdown, which comes after the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend.With that, according to multiple reports, a clause in his Red Bull contract can be triggered, giving him an out for the 2027 season.Sprinkle in a dash of the general frenzy that is the F1 driver transfer market, and you have arguably the dominant story ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.And despite his manager, Raymond Vermeulen, tamping down those rumors recently, the F1 world got a chance to hear from the driver himself on Thursday in the buildup to this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.And Verstappen made it clear that his focus is elsewhere.Mainly, on turning the season around, and his “future” driving for Red Bull.“There’s nothing to say,” answered Verstappen when asked about the speculation during the FIA Press Conference on Thursday. “I don’t want to say yes and no, and this and that about my future. I said already many times that if there was something new, I would say it myself.”The driver then addressed the recent struggles, as well as his efforts alongside the team to right the ship.“Now we’re just looking to the future trying to fix current issues that we have on the car, but that’s an open discussion,” he said. “Yes, sometimes you get a little bit disappointed or upset after a race, but for example after Silverstone, you go home and you reset.“On Wednesday I was back at the factory and then you prepare again for the weekends ahead. That’s how I’ve been operating in all the years together. And of course, some years are just a little bit more competitive than others, but in terms of my approach and how we work as a team, nothing really changes.”Part of that process is a focus on the rear wing of the RB22. That component — the revolving design referred to as the “Macarena” wing in the media — has been identified as the reason for those two high-speed crashes from Verstappen in recent weeks. The driver called the situation “super dangerous” when speaking to the media after the crash in Silverstone, and the team will reportedly shelve the component for this weekend.But in terms of his future beyond Spa, Verstappen remained adamant on Thursday.“Red Bull are like a second family to me,“ added the driver.Here at SB Nation we are talking F1 every hour, every day. Join the discussion at the new F1 Feed, a community for Formula 1 fans!  #Belgian #Grand #Prix #Max #Verstappen #focused #future #Red #Bull

dominated in recent weeks by speculation over Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, keyed by some difficult sessions this season. After crashes during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix and in the closing stages of the British Grand Prix — with Verstappen chasing a podium finish — it is confirmed that he cannot rise to the top two spots in the Drivers’ Championship standings by the summer shutdown, which comes after the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend.

With that, according to multiple reports, a clause in his Red Bull contract can be triggered, giving him an out for the 2027 season.

Sprinkle in a dash of the general frenzy that is the F1 driver transfer market, and you have arguably the dominant story ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

And despite his manager, Raymond Vermeulen, tamping down those rumors recently, the F1 world got a chance to hear from the driver himself on Thursday in the buildup to this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

And Verstappen made it clear that his focus is elsewhere.

Mainly, on turning the season around, and his “future” driving for Red Bull.

“There’s nothing to say,” answered Verstappen when asked about the speculation during the FIA Press Conference on Thursday. “I don’t want to say yes and no, and this and that about my future. I said already many times that if there was something new, I would say it myself.”

The driver then addressed the recent struggles, as well as his efforts alongside the team to right the ship.

“Now we’re just looking to the future trying to fix current issues that we have on the car, but that’s an open discussion,” he said. “Yes, sometimes you get a little bit disappointed or upset after a race, but for example after Silverstone, you go home and you reset.

“On Wednesday I was back at the factory and then you prepare again for the weekends ahead. That’s how I’ve been operating in all the years together. And of course, some years are just a little bit more competitive than others, but in terms of my approach and how we work as a team, nothing really changes.”

Part of that process is a focus on the rear wing of the RB22. That component — the revolving design referred to as the “Macarena” wing in the media — has been identified as the reason for those two high-speed crashes from Verstappen in recent weeks. The driver called the situation “super dangerous” when speaking to the media after the crash in Silverstone, and the team will reportedly shelve the component for this weekend.

But in terms of his future beyond Spa, Verstappen remained adamant on Thursday.

“Red Bull are like a second family to me,“ added the driver.

Here at SB Nation we are talking F1 every hour, every day. Join the discussion at the new F1 Feed, a community for Formula 1 fans!

#Belgian #Grand #Prix #Max #Verstappen #focused #future #Red #Bull">Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen is focused on the ‘future’ at Red Bull

Death, taxes, and speculation about Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 future.

The sport has been dominated in recent weeks by speculation over Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, keyed by some difficult sessions this season. After crashes during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix and in the closing stages of the British Grand Prix — with Verstappen chasing a podium finish — it is confirmed that he cannot rise to the top two spots in the Drivers’ Championship standings by the summer shutdown, which comes after the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend.

With that, according to multiple reports, a clause in his Red Bull contract can be triggered, giving him an out for the 2027 season.

Sprinkle in a dash of the general frenzy that is the F1 driver transfer market, and you have arguably the dominant story ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

And despite his manager, Raymond Vermeulen, tamping down those rumors recently, the F1 world got a chance to hear from the driver himself on Thursday in the buildup to this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

And Verstappen made it clear that his focus is elsewhere.

Mainly, on turning the season around, and his “future” driving for Red Bull.

“There’s nothing to say,” answered Verstappen when asked about the speculation during the FIA Press Conference on Thursday. “I don’t want to say yes and no, and this and that about my future. I said already many times that if there was something new, I would say it myself.”

The driver then addressed the recent struggles, as well as his efforts alongside the team to right the ship.

“Now we’re just looking to the future trying to fix current issues that we have on the car, but that’s an open discussion,” he said. “Yes, sometimes you get a little bit disappointed or upset after a race, but for example after Silverstone, you go home and you reset.

“On Wednesday I was back at the factory and then you prepare again for the weekends ahead. That’s how I’ve been operating in all the years together. And of course, some years are just a little bit more competitive than others, but in terms of my approach and how we work as a team, nothing really changes.”

Part of that process is a focus on the rear wing of the RB22. That component — the revolving design referred to as the “Macarena” wing in the media — has been identified as the reason for those two high-speed crashes from Verstappen in recent weeks. The driver called the situation “super dangerous” when speaking to the media after the crash in Silverstone, and the team will reportedly shelve the component for this weekend.

But in terms of his future beyond Spa, Verstappen remained adamant on Thursday.

“Red Bull are like a second family to me,“ added the driver.

Here at SB Nation we are talking F1 every hour, every day. Join the discussion at the new F1 Feed, a community for Formula 1 fans!

#Belgian #Grand #Prix #Max #Verstappen #focused #future #Red #Bull
ENG vs IND 2nd ODI, Live Score: India 104/2 (18); Jacks dismisses struggling Rohit  Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill walk out to open the batting for the visitor. Jofra Archer takes the new ball for the host.Rohit on strike, first ball, right on the money from Archer, thick outside edge to deep backward point for a single. Short ball down leg to Gill, umpire signals wide.Gill defends, dot ball. Width on offer from Archer, Gill toe edges the cut to deep third for a single. Archer nails the tight line and length, Rohit defends, no run.Test match leave on the outside off stump ball from Rohit. Ooooh Archer pitches it up and gets the ball to nick back in, beats Rohit’s drive. Tidy first over, just the three runs off it.   #ENG #IND #2nd #ODI #Live #Score #India #Jacks #dismisses #struggling #Rohit

Post Comment