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Reigning US Open champion Osaka withdraws from Wuhan Open
Wuhan (China), Sep 23 (IANS) Reigning US Open champion Naomi Osaka of Japan withdrew from the Wuhan Open on Sunday due to a viral illness.
Osaka’s decision came hours after losing the Pan Pacific Open final on Sunday to Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 4-6, 4-6 ending the Japanese player’s 10-match winning streak, reports Efe.
“I’m very sorry to have to withdraw from Wuhan. I look forward to playing in Wuhan next year,” Osaka was quoted as saying on the WTA’s website.
Osaka had earlier said she “felt really tired today” during her loss to Pliskova.
Wuhan Open co-director Fabrice Chouquet said he regretted the fact that Osaka was forced to withdraw after an “amazing few weeks” in which she became the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Osaka, 20, prevailed in the US Open final on September 9 over US legend Serena Williams, who was penalized during the match by Portuguese umpire Carlos Ramos.
Ramos sanctioned Williams for receiving help in the form of a hand signal from her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, as well as for breaking her racket against the court surface and verbally abusing the judge by calling him a “thief.”
The Wuhan Open’s co-director said Osaka is to be replaced by Polona Hercog of Slovenia, who lost in the qualifying to Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig.
In the second round, Osaka, World No. 7, was due to take on China’s Shuai Zhang, who defeated Samantha Stosur of Australia 6-2, 6-2.
Osaka is the latest player to pull out of the Wuhan Open following former World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, who will also miss the tournament due to a viral illness.
Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova was forced to withdraw due to an upper respiratory illness.
–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
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.