An Indian tennis player, Ankita Raina, defeated higher-ranked Arina Rodionova in the first round of the women's singles qualifiers at the French Open on Monday. In a thrilling rain-affected three-setter, the 28-year-old Indian, ranked 182, showed steely nerves as she came back from a set down to beat Russian-born Australian Rodionova, ranked 168th, 3-6 6-1 6-4.
Financial sanctions of nearly Rs. 1 crore were also approved in Mission Olympic Cell meeting.
Divij Sharan and Rohan Bopanna, both tennis doubles players, received MOC permission to fund their participation in 14 and 11 tournaments, respectively, between January and June 2021. Divij Sharan's proposal cost about Rs. 30 lakh, and in the current Olympics period, he got Rs. 80.59 lakhs in support from TOPS.
Rohan Bopanna's proposal cost Rs. 27.61 lakh, which included fees for coach Scott Davidoff and physio Gaurang Shukla. During the current Olympic cycle, he has already received Rs. 1.24 crore from TOPS.