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Serena falls short against Kvitova in Cincinnati

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Cincinnati, Aug 15 (IANS) American great Serena Williams showed further signs of rediscovering her championship level, but came up short in a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 second-round loss to Petra Kvitova at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

Kvitova came out firing on Tuesday night, using outstanding ball-striking to grab an early service break at 3-2 and then wrapping up the set with a second break four games later, reports Efe.

But the 23-time Grand Slam champion turned the match around when she won a back-and-forth third game of the second set to break the Czech player for the first time in the match and take a 2-1 lead.

Williams later got a second service break on a sharply angled backhand return of serve winner and then closed out the second set when Kvitova missed a backhand return in the net.

The third set had the intensity of a Grand Slam final, with both players feeding off the energy of the crowd to produce their best tennis.

In the end, Kvitova’s superior form on the night was the difference as she got a break in the sixth game and then fought off a tough challenge from Williams in the final game to hold serve and clinch the victory in just under two hours.

Kvitova, who has made a remarkable comeback since being injured by a burglar in a knife attack at her home in Prostejov, Czech Republic, in late 2016, reflected afterward on her win against an all-time great opponent who is trying to get back to top form less than a year after becoming a mother and enduring serious post-partum health complications.

“It was a pleasure to share the court with Serena. She’s such a champion,” Kvitova said in a post-match interview. “We are both coming back – from injury, from motherhood – so it’s something really special to play her.”

“Unfortunately it’s in the second round, but playing a night session against Serena in front of a USA crowd, it’s been great.”

Next up for the eighth-seeded Kvitova in the third round of this WTA Premier 5 event will be France’s Kristina Mladenovic.

Williams, Kvitova and tennis’ other top men’s and women’s stars are in Cincinnati as part of their preparations for the US Open, which gets under way on August 27.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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