Aditi, Gurbani move up in all India ladies golf

Kolkata, Dec 13 (IANS) The top seeded stars, including defending champion Aditi Ashok and Gurbani Singh, took their expected places in the quarter-finals of the Usha All India Ladies Matchplay Championships here Thursday.

Aditi triumphed with a comfortable margin of 5 and 3 over fellow Bangalorean Anisha Padukone, while her arch rival Gurbani Singh also moved into the next round with a tough match against yet another Bangalorean Ankita Kedalya before winning 3 and 1. Gurbani had a fight on hands, but never really put pressure on herself.

In case both Aditi and Gurbani win their quarter-final matches, they will clash in the semi-finals, which will decide the Order of Merit winner also.

A minor upset of sorts came when Seher Atwal beat Amandeep Drall 3 and 2, while Ridhima Dilawari defeated Nikita Arjun 3 and 2. Millie Saroha by far had the toughest time beating underdog Shruti Naik 2-up on the 18th and Tvesa Malik stretched Raksha Phadke to the 18th before the latter won 1-up.

Low-key Jaipreet Ghuman slotted a bunch of birdies and beat Astha Madan 3 and 2 and Gursimar Badwal rallied from a three-hole deficit after seven to win 3 and 2 on the 16th.

IANS 2012-12-13 19:40:27