KARACHI, Nov 12: Italy and USA-1 are leading in Bermuda Bowl-World Bridge Championship semifinals in Monte Carlo (Monaco), according to a message received on Wednesday.

The event is reaching to its logical end when three initial rounds out of six were played on Tuesday between Italy against Norway and the two strings from United States of America.

When the first semifinal began, Norway faced Italy with a carry over of 1.7 International Match Points (IMPs). In the very fast segment, Italy shown their superiority and ended with a 41-17 IMPs plus.

In the second segment Norway extended them and managed a lead of solitary point scoring 39-38. However, Italy dominated the third and outplayed Norway in every department of the game scoring 49-9 IMPs. Italy is leading with 57 IMPs difference at the half way mark.

The tussle for supremacy is very much open at next table where both the strings of USA are competing against each other. USA-1 started with an advantage of 13.5 IMPs carry over against their own countrymen.

In the first segment USA-1 further increased their lead by scoring 41-17. But in the next two segments the team led by Bobby Wolff put up greater fight to reduce the lead. In the second segment USA-2 scored 34-21 and in the third 34-27. Now it seems that it is very open match for the two USA teams.

In the ladies Venice Cup, China seems to be a safe bet in the first semifinal. China ladies scored better in all three segments, 32-30, 53-19 and 44-32 and lead by 47 IMPs at the half-way mark.

In the other semifinal once again both the teams from USA are pitched up to battle for supremacy. USA-1 seems to be better placed, as they scored 28-24, 31-41 and 45-17 in three segments besides a carry over score of 9.5 IMPs.

Transnational Championship began at Monte Carlo, as a side event with 74 teams are participating. At the conclusion of 5th round, Canadian team led by Ferguri is at the top. There are two teams from Pakistan, one Khan-T and the other Hadi-K. Both of them are at the middle of the road. After the fifth round, Hadi-K is occupying 35th position and Khan-T is placed on 49th berth.

In the seniors section Egyptian pair of Askalani-Watter has topped the list with 0.99 IMPs per Board correctness in bidding factor. Pakistani pair of Pervaiz Mirza-Yousuf Talpur has ranked second with 0.94 per cent factor.

Pervaiz Mirza-Tariq Rasheed Khan as a pair are placed on 19th position with 0.24 IMPs per board.

In the Open Event young pair of Pakistan, Tehsin Gheewala-Sarfraz Khan ranked on 30th position with 0.04 IMPs per Board. Spanish air of Fernandez-Ventin is placed at the top. Pakistan’s second pair of Sultan Siddiqui-Rashid Jafer has been place on 44th and the pair of Allana- Jane-e-Alam was placed on 52nd berth.

Likewise in the Venice Cup the best performance came from Teeta Agha-Roshan Bokhari, 35th and 0.20 IMPs per board.

Qudsia-Zeenat Azwer ranked 45th with 0.57, Rehana Saigol-Samia Rashid pair was placed 50th with 0.72 IMP per Board.—APP