Comeback girl Murgunde enters semi-finals

Mumbai, Dec 14 (UNI) Top seed Trupti Murgunde, who is making a comeback from an injury, moved into the semi-finals of the fifth edition of All India Major Ranking Prize Money Tournament 2006 at the Cricket Club of India here today.

She moved into the last four stage with ease, toppling Gayatri Kochak 21-4, 21-17.

Trupti entered the match confidently. The first game was completely dominated by Murgunde, who looked completely at ease. The second game, however, saw Murgunde relaxing and giving away a number of easy points. She kept the nose in front, however, and triumphed 21-17. Murgunde now plays Ruth Misha, who sent fourth seed Shruti Kurien packing in a close game that ended 21-19, 21-18.

Looking forward to her game against Ruth Misha, Murgunde said, ''I am confident of going into the semifinals as I haven't been able to play top tournaments for over two weeks due to a leg injury. What gets my confidence going is the fact that I have never lost to any of the players, who are in the semifinals, in my career.'' The 24 year-old Murgunde is the favourite going into the final four and it will take a special performance from her future opponents to take the crown from her.

Meanwhile, Anand Pawar the third seed in the men's draw marched on albeit with some uncertainty beating Thomas Kurien 21-18, 21-19.

Pawar made a shaky start and looked in trouble the opening game after repeated errors cost him and saw him trailing 8-3. Pawar managed to claw his way back with some good rallies won with powerful smashes. As the game came to an end there was nothing between the two. Kurien and Pawar were playing well and forcing errors out of each other. Pawar showed his class and held his nerve to win the first game 21-18.

The second game was as close as the first as both slugged it out.

Pawar saw a drop in his concentration which nearly cost him the game at 18-13. Pawar fought his way back urged by the support of the crowd to lose just the one point from then on to win 21-19.

Pawar will now play Sachin Ratti, who had to battle to beat Jishnu Sanyal 21-19, 21-18, 21-17. Reflecting on his performance Pawar said, ''I got the job done today despite making a number of errors. I cannot afford to continue this and will have to improve upon my concentration.'' Speaking about his semifinal opponent Ratti Pawar said, ''The last time I played him, I won but a month prior to that he had beaten me. He is a good player and I will have to play well to win tomorrow.'' Following are the Results: Men's Singles Quarterfinals: 3-Anand Pawar (MAH) bt Thomas Kurien (PET) 21-18, 21-19; Sachin Ratti (RLY) bt Jishnu Sanyal (AI) 21-19, 18-21, 21-17; 2- Anup Sridhar (PET) bt 6- Sagar Chopda (AI) 21-14, 21-16; 4- Ajay Jayram (MAH) bt 5- Rohan Castelliono (KTK) 21-17, 21-18.

Women's Singles Quarterfinals: 1-Trupti Murgunde (PET) bt Gayatri Kochak (MAH) 21-4, 21-17; Ruth Misha (KTK) bt 4- Shruti Kurien (PET) 21-19, 21-18; 3- BR Meenakshi (PET) bt Saili Gokhale (AI) 21-10, 21-17; 2- Aditi Mutatkar (MAH) bt Krishna Dekaraja (ASM) 21-14, 21-11.

Men's Doubles Quarterfinals: 1- Sanave Thomas (KTK)/Rupesh Kumar (PET) bt Rajeev Goswami/ H Chetra (ASM) 21-9, 21-12 UNI GS KU PDS BD2034