Top News
Halep tops Venus, to face Serena in Australian Open round-16
Melbourne, Jan 19 (IANS) Top seed Simona Halep of Romania on Saturday kept her bid for her second Grand Slam title alive as she brushed aside veteran Venus Williams of the United States 6-2, 6-3 to book a place in the Australian Open round of 16.
Having ending Williams’ 81st Grand Slam campaign in one hour and 17 minutes, the 2018 French Open champion will face next another former world No. 1 Serena Williams, who is seeking her 24th Grand Slam crown, reports Efe news.
“It’s going to be a bigger challenge, but I’m ready to face it,” Halep said after the win when asked about facing an in-form Serena, who has lost just nine games on her way to the fourth round.
Halep, the 2018 Australian Open runner-up, survived an early pressure by Venus who created three break points on the Romanian first two service games.
Then, the Romanian had the edge as she seized the first opportunity she had to break Venus’ serve for a 3-2 lead.
Once more, Halep did not fall apart under Venus’ pressure in the following game, saving four break points, including two in a row, and proceeded to earn another service break to make it 5-2 and seal the set in the following game, after fighting past the American.
The momentum seemed to be shifting in Veuns’ favor, as she seized on the first breaking point she had in the second set to punish Halep for squandering two game points.
But Halep did not allow Venus back to the match, breaking the American’s serve in the following game and fended off break points in the third game, to hold for 2-1.
Both players easily held serve during the next couple of games and all the action came in the final stretch, as Halep raced through the final three games, two breaks included, to seal the win.
Next up for Halep will be Serena, the 16th seed, who routed the 18-year-old Dayana Yastremska. The American leads Halep 8-1 in the head-to-head record.
–IANS
kk/vm
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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.