Gavrilova claims gold

Russian tennis player Daria Gavrilova can always be counted on to bounce back after losing the first set and she did just that and claimed the Youth Olympic Games girls’ singles title.

After losing the first set, the 16-year-old fought back to beat China’s Zheng Saisai, also 16, before a packed crowd at Kallang Tennis Centre to clinch the next two sets 6-2, 6-0. The blonde Russian had also staged a comeback in the semi-finals. She was a set down and 3-5 behind in the second set, against Slovakian Jana Cepelova.

“She was tired, her mental focus dropped, and I won because I was fitter,” said Gavrilova, referring to her comeback against Saisai in the second set.

Currently 16th in the junior world rankings, the win has given Daria a lot of confidence. “Yes, I want to be in the 2012 Olympics, but I will not get there. There are too many Russians, good Russians. But maybe in six years, I would love to,” said the Russian.

Singapore on top in  football

A late goal by midfielder Brandon Koh gave Singapore a 3-2 win over Montenegro in a thrilling Youth Olympic Games boys’ football Group D clash at the Jalan Besar Stadium in the Kallang area of Singapore.

The crucial win sends the hosts to the top of the group and means that they will avoid Bolivia, the top team in Group C, in tomorrow’s semi-finals

Instead, Singapore will face Haiti who defeated Vanuatu 2-1 to finish second in Group C, while Montenegro will face the South Americans.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2010.