Ritika-Simran in semis; Malvika, Rohan lose in All India Senior Ranking Badminton tournament

NAGPUR: Ritika Thaker and Simran Singhi kept the city's hopes alive by entering the semifinals in the Yonex-Sunrise All India Senior Ranking Badminton tournament at Vijayawada on Saturday.Fifth seeds Ritika and Simran trounced Parvathi S Krishnan (Karnataka) and Saumya Singh (Gujarat) 21-13, 21-19 in the women's doubles quarterfinal. The match lasted for 32 minutes.The experienced Maharashtra pair of Ritika and Simran was always in control of the situation and recorded a straight-game victory to seal last-four berth.Ritika and Simran will now clash against third seeds and reigning national women's doubles champions Shikha Gautam (Air India) and K Ashwini Bhat (Karnataka) in the semis.However, city's singles players and Friday's star performers Malvika Bansod and Rohan Gurbani went down fighting in their respective quarterfinals.Tenth seed Malvika Bansod lost to seventh seed Anura Prabhudesai 19-21, 17-21. The tall Goan girl quelled the spirited challenge from in-form Nagpur shuttler Malvika in 40 minutes. Southpaw Malvika, who represents Airport Authority of India, had her chances but could not capitalize on them.Similarly, it was heartbreak for Rohan Gurbani in the men's singles. The qualifier Rohan, who had knocked out second seed in the pre-quarterfinal on Friday, could not extend his dream run and lost against No. 12 seed Kiran George. The Kerala youngster won 21-18, 21-18 in 35 minutes.Nagpur Results (Quarterfinals)Women's singles: 10-Malvika Bansod lost to 7-Anura Prabhudesai 19-21, 17-21.Men's singles: Rohan Gurbani lost to 12-Kiran George 18-21, 18-21.Women's doubles: 5-Ritika Thaker-Simran Singhi bt Parvathi S Krishnan-Saumya Singh 21-13, 21-19.