Washington, July 30 (IANS) Emma Raducanu advanced to the second round of the DC Open, defeating the world No. 35, Elise Mertens, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

In their last encounter at Wimbledon, Raducanu had breezed past Mertens, dropping just three games. She seemed on course for a similar result on Monday night, dominating the first set by winning five consecutive games.

However, Mertens adjusted her strategy in the second set. She cut down on errors and took advantage of Raducanu’s momentary lapse in concentration. The Belgian broke serve after Raducanu had a 40-0 lead in the sixth game, using that momentum to level the match by taking the second set 6-3.

The final set was a rollercoaster. Raducanu broke early to establish a 3-1 lead, but Mertens clawed her way back, breaking the Briton and saving two break points to even the score at 3-3. She saved five crucial break points in a tense service game, then broke Mertens once more.

Mertens fought valiantly, breaking back as Raducanu served for the match, but her 11th double fault of the match handed Raducanu a match point. The Brit seized the opportunity with a precise backhand volley, clinching the victory.

“I was playing some pretty good tennis in patches throughout. Especially in the first set and moments in the third set. I lost some focus in the second. It’s not easy playing at 11:30. I got here Thursday night so I’m still jet-lagged. I was telling myself, ‘I’m not leaving. This is not happening. You’re not losing this match,” Raducanu was quoted by WTA.

–IANS

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Paris, July 30 (IANS) The men’s triathlon at the Paris Olympic Games has been postponed due to water-quality issues in the River Seine. Scheduled for Tuesday morning 11:30 am IST (8:00 am CET), the event has now been moved to Wednesday 2:15 am IST (10:45 am CET).

This rescheduling aligns it with the women’s triathlon, which was set for 24 hours later. The women’s race will begin at 11:30 am IST on Wednesday, followed by the men’s event at 2:15 am IST.

“Following the disappointing news that water quality results were not within the permitted levels to hold the swim segment of the men’s individual event as planned on July 30, the race has been postponed and will now take place at 10.45 am (CET) on Wednesday July 31.

“There has been no impact upon the schedule of the women’s race, with the athletes still set to go out at 8am on Wednesday, however, both of the medal ceremonies will now be held after the conclusion of the men’s event,” World Triathlon said in a statement.

World Triathlon announced the postponement on Tuesday morning, citing concerns over the water quality in the Seine. “Considering the latest weather information, it has been decided to schedule the men’s triathlon event on July 31 at 10h 45. The women’s triathlon is due to take place the same day at 8am. Both triathlons are subject to the forthcoming water tests complying with the established World Triathlon thresholds for swimming. The original contingency day also remains in place for August 2, for further considerations,” it said.

The organisation has also set Friday as a contingency day if either or both events cannot proceed as planned on Wednesday.

“Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that their priority is the health of the athletes. The tests carried out in the Seine today revealed water quality levels did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be hold,” World Triathlon said.

“Unfortunately, meteorological events beyond our control, such as rain which fell over Paris on July 26 and 27, can alter water quality and compel us to reschedule the event for health concerns. Despite the improvement in the water quality levels, the readings at some points of the swim course are still above the acceptable limits” it added.

The decision follows a series of water quality tests conducted after heavy rainfall during the Olympic opening ceremony and subsequent outdoor events. The rain exacerbated pollution levels in the Seine, a river that flows through the heart of Paris and has a combined sewer system.

The Seine has a long history of pollution, with swimming in the river banned since 1923. However, French authorities have invested 1.4 billion euros in a project to improve water quality ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. This effort included a high-profile swim in the Seine earlier this month by France’s sports minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera, alongside Paralympic triathlon champion Alexis Hanquinquant.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet also participated in the swim to demonstrate the river’s improved conditions.

The country’s President, Emmanuel Macron, who had expressed a willingness to join, was notably absent. Despite these demonstrations, tests had previously revealed faecal matter levels ten times above the acceptable limit, forcing a delay in the planned swim.

–IANS

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Paris, July 30 (IANS) American swimmer Ryan Murphy got a special surprise from his pregnant wife Bridget Konttinen at the Paris 2024 Olympics after winning bronze in the men’s 100m backstroke, his third Olympic medal in that event.

After Murphy received his bronze medal for finishing third in the 100-meter backstroke race, his wife, who was present in the stands, did a gender reveal of their baby with a handwritten sign that read, “Ryan it’s a girl!”

Murphy’s bronze medal marks his seventh overall, making him one of the most decorated Olympic athletes of all time. He is a four-time Olympic gold medalist and the former world-record holder in the men’s 100-meter backstroke.

“Step 1: Win an Olympic medal. Step 2: Find out you’re going to be a girl dad,” USA Swinning and Team USA posted on Instagram.

Also, Olympian Rowdy Gaines wrote on X, alongside a photo of the moment, “This is so much bigger than ANY medal. Congrats Murph!!”

Ryan is currently attempting a once in a lifetime feat of becoming the first male swimmer to medal in both the 100m and 200m backstroke events in three consecutive Olympics.

He will be back in the pool to swim the men’s 200m backstroke on Wednesday.

–IANS

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Paris, July 30 (IANS) Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez revealed that she competed at the Paris Olympics while seven months pregnant after she crashed out in the last 16 of the women’s sabre individual event.

The 26-year-old, who was competing in her third Olympics, won her first match against USA’s Elizabeth Tartakovsky but lost the second match 7-15 to Korean fencer Jeon Hayoung on Monday at the Grand Palais in the French capital.

“7 MONTHS PREGNANT OLYMPIAN !” Nada posted on Instagram few hours after her match. “What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, & my yet-to-come to our world, little baby!” the post further read.

“My baby & I had our fair share of challenges, be it both physical & emotional. The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but having to fight to keep the balance of life & sports was nothing short of strenuous, however worth it.

I’m writing this post to say that pride fills my being for securing my place in the round of 16!

“I’m lucky to have shared the trust of my husband @ibrahimihab11 and that of my family to be able to come this far. This specific Olympics was different; Three times Olympian but this time carrying a little Olympian one!” it added.

–IANS

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Paris, July 30 (IANS) Indian table tennis star Manika Batra expressed her joy after becoming the first Indian paddler to reach the round of 16 at the Olympics. Despite reaching a significant milestone, Batra emphasised her focus on playing each match with her best effort and enjoying the experience.

Manika, ranked 28th in the world, stunned local favourite world No. 18 Prithika Pavade 4-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7) in the South Paris Arena 4 in the French capital late on Monday night.

The Indian table tennis player will face either Hong Kong China’s Zhu Chengzhu or eighth-seeded Japanese player Miu Hirano next.

“I’m not focusing on that (reaching Roud of 16 for the first time). My focus is to play every match with my best effort and enjoy the Olympics and yes, I’m really happy that I reached round of 16 and blessed. So I just give my best for every round I play against whoever I play,” said Manika after her win.

India will also be part of the team competitions at Paris 2024, the first time India qualify for the Table Tennis team events at the Olympics. The men’s team, featuring Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar, face a daunting task against four-time champions the China in the first round.

The women’s team, comprising Manika, Sreeja Akula and Archana Kamath, meanwhile, has been drawn to play Romania in their first match.

Manika highlighted the historic achievement of both the Indian men’s and women’s teams qualifying for the Olympics. She expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and commitment to giving their best for the nation.

“Of course, this is the first time we qualified in teams women and men. So, it’s really a proud moment for India that table tennis is growing and I’m really happy with that. And yes, I think we are all very well prepared and we just give our best for our country and hundred percent for ourselves,” said the 27-year-old paddler.

Manika and Prithika were evenly matched at 8-8 in the first game, but Manika pulled ahead to take the lead. The Indian won the second game comfortably and raced to a 10-4 lead in the third. Despite Pavade saving five game points, Manika extended her lead to 3-0. Her lethal backhands helped her close out the match smoothly.

Manika will face either Hong Kong China’s Zhu Chengzhu or eighth-seeded Japanese player Miu Hirano next.

Reflecting on her preparation, Manika credited her rigorous practice and mental conditioning with her personal coach, Aman Balgu, as key factors in her readiness for the Olympics.

She noted the importance of staying focused in a high-pressure environment and appreciated the support from the crowd, even when playing against a local favorite.

“I think, I played my like normal game before coming here, I practiced really hard. We were in Saarbrucken (Germany) and before that I was with my personal coach Aman Balgu,” said Manika.

“So, I think I was well prepared for this Olympics mentally and physically. Mentally of course more because it’s a big event. You have to be focused for every point and I was playing against France and there were more crowd cheer for her not for me. So, I’m really happy that people were there to cheer for me. And yes mentally, I really worked before coming to Paris,” she concluded.

–IANS