Kathmandu, August 1:

Shyam Thapa defeated Sailendra Ghale to advance to the second round in above 45 section at the Nepal Open Senior Veterans’ Tennis Tournament, which has been organised by Kathmandu Sports Club, today The ANFA football coach won the first set 6-3, but conceded the second 4-6 and the match went to tie-breaker, which he won 10-5. In other first-round actions, Ranaji Thapa beat Prem Shahi 6-1, 6-2; Bidur Bista beat Prem Shakya 6-3, 6-1; Karma Gurung beat Uttam Lama 6-1, 6-1; Jagat Gauchan beat Mahesh Nakarmi 6-1, 6-2; Ishwor Rai beat Karma Ghale 6-2, 2-6 (15-13); Bikash Rana beat Samai Shrestha 6-4, 6-0; Keshav Raj Khanal beat LP Gurung 6-0, 6-2; and Gyanendra Tamrakar beat Rajiv Parajuli.

In the above 35 section pre-quarters, Amrit Kansakar defeated Manohar Mool 6-2, 6-3; Dharma Shahi beat Sunil Gurung 6-2, 5-7 (6-3); Rajesh Chhetri beat Rajesh Shrestha 6-0, 6-0; Chandra Shahi beat Harbinder Singh 6-2, 6-1; Raju Shrestha beat Pranil Dhoj Karki 6-0, 6-2; Krishna Ghale beat Tribhuvan Bista 6-1, 6-1; and Binod Kayastha beat Soviet Man Shrestha 6-4, 6-4. In all, 60 players are taking part in the four-day tournament. The top players have first-round bye and will be in action from Tuesday.

Anal Jyoti advance

KATHMANDU: Anal Jyoti ‘A’ defeated Madan Smarak School 25-6, 29-9, 25-5; and Anal Jyoti ‘B’ beat Kanya High School 25-15, 25-19, 25-22 to enter the women’s semi-finals of the Birthday Cup Open Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Tournament, today. In men’s section, Tribhuvan Army Club outplayed Drishti Club of Pokhara 25-21, 25-16, 25-16 and topped Group A while Dristi Club, who earned a walkover from Sindhupalchowk District Volleyball Association in the other match, finished runners-up to advance to the round of last eight.

Similarly, Kaski District Volleyball Association defeated National Open College 25-12, 25-17, 25-16 to stand atop Group C with Legend Cargo finishing runners-up with a 25-22, 25-13, 25-12 win over National Open College. Gyanendra Armed Police Force Officers’ Club and Jawalakhel Volleyball Training Centre from Group B, and Mahendra Police Club and Kavre District Volleyball Association from Group D have already entered the quarters. The five-day tournament has been organised by Nepal Volleyball Association to mark the 59th birthday of King Gyanendra.

Finals today

KATHMANDU: The boys’ section final of the Campion Inter-school Basketball Tournament between Sambotta High School and Rhododendron International Boarding School will be held on Tuesday at the school court in Lagankhel. Rato Bangala School will take on Gyanodaya Bal Batika School in the girls’ final. The nine-day tournament has been organised by Campion Associates to mark its 10th anniversary.