Page 1144 - Sports
Serena Williams fined for violating tennis code of conduct
Tennis star Serena Williams has been fined $17,000 by the organizers of the US Open for committing three violations of the code of conduct during the second set of the women's final, which she lost on the weekend to Japan's Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4.
I want to finish inside top-10 on Order of Merit: Madappa
New Asian Tour champion Viraj Madappa is eyeing a top 10 finish in the order of merit as he returns to the USD 1.36 million Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup, a tournament he played as an amateur in 2015. He recalls playing in his first ever professional tournament in Japan where he was star-struck when playing a practice round with Arjun Atwal, Rahil Gangjee, Daniel Chopra and SSP Chawrasia. Fast forward to 2018 and the super-fit Madappa is now a winner on the Asian Tour and will be one of the top contenders when he features at the Musashi Country Club, Sasai Course from September 20 to 23. Currently ranked 40th on the Habitat for Humanity Standings, Madappa's immediate goal is to break into the top-10 on the Asian Tour to qualify for the CIMB Classic in October. "My first goal at the start of the year was to try and win a tournament and I've done that. I also wanted to finish inside the top-10 on the Order of Merit and I'm closer to that goal now," he said. He has also set his eyes on ...
Jadeja is exceptional, we're happy he played just last Test: Farbrace
India's Ravindra Jadeja is an exceptional cricketer and England are happy that he featured only in the fifth and final Test, said the home team's assistant coach Paul Farbrace. Coming into bat at number 8, Jadeja scored his ninth Test half-century to rescue India from 160-6 to 292 in the first innings. "It was very frustrating. There was a chance dropped before that last partnership got going but to be fair to Jadeja, he played magnificently well," Farbrace said on Sunday. "I think he's an exceptional cricketer, a dangerous cricketer - with bat, ball and in the field - and I think we would probably be reasonably happy that he's only just played in that last game." Farbrace has said that the fans and cricket community in the country in general will be hoping to see Alastair Cook score a hundred in what is his last Test innings. Cook finished at 46 not out in England's second innings at the Oval, as the hosts took a 154-run lead. "It'd be fantastic, wouldn't it, if he was to get to a ...
Speaking to Dravid eased my nerves: Vihari
A bundle of nerves ahead of his Test debut, Hanuma Vihari said a phone call to Rahul Dravid put his mind at ease and helped him get the maiden fifty that rescued India from a difficult situation against England. Vihari scored 56 and put on a vital 77-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (86 not out) to help India post 292 in their first innings Sunday. England finished the day with a lead of 154 runs. The home team has an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. "I called him the day before I made my debut. He spoke to me for a couple of minutes and I thought it eased my nerves a little bit. He is a legend of the game; and his inputs especially in the batting department (helped me)," Vihari said Sunday of the influence of the former captain, who is currently the India A coach. "He just told me that 'you have the skill set; you have the mind set and the temperament, just go out there and enjoy yourself'...I would like to give him a lot of credit because my journey with India A ..
Giroud gets winner as France celebrate World Cup homecoming
France finally celebrated winning the World Cup with their home fans on Sunday after Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud both scored in a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in Paris. Giroud swept in the winner from a Benjamin Mendy cross in the 75th minute for his first goal in 11 games in a France shirt, after the Chelsea striker went through the entirety of his country's triumphant campaign in Russia without scoring. On their first appearance on home soil since the World Cup, Mbappe had earlier put France ahead in an explosive performance from the 19-year-old, before Ryan Babel briefly restored parity in the second half. The Stade de France exploded in celebration at Giroud's winner in a game that had a competitive edge as part of UEFA's new Nations League. However, this match on a balmy evening was really just a prelude to World Cup victory celebrations on the pitch in front of almost 80,000 fans at the national stadium after the final whistle. "The victory was the most important thing, so .
Croatia's Modric ready to remind Spain of his enduring class
Dejan Lovren was probably right in saying that if Luka Modric played for Spain or Germany he might not have won a Ballon d'Or by now -- nobody other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo has for 10 years -- but he might well have been in the running. He is this year, albeit for FIFA's equivalent prize, the Best Men's Player, and it validates Lovren's theory that his first nomination comes after Croatia did at the World Cup what Spain or Germany had done at four of the last five major tournaments. They reached the final. "Because we are a smaller country, he gets less attention than he deserves," Lovren said. Modric was not the only one to excel for Croatia in Russia but he was their inspiration. His bending shot that nestled in the corner marked the second of a three-goal thrashing of Argentina. His celebration shared with the fans, all floppy hair and clenched fists, became an enduring image of the tournament. Success internationally has been as rare for Modric as it has been ...
Schulz strikes on debut to grab Germany win over Peru
Nico Schulz enjoyed a dream international debut on Sunday, as the Hoffenheim defender scored a late winner in front of his home crowd to give Germany a hard-fought 2-1 friendly win over Peru in Sinsheim. Given his first cap for Germany in the stadium where he plays his club football, the 25-year-old Schulz put in a solid performance at left-back as the hosts came from behind to pick up their first win since crashing out of the World Cup in June. "I am very happy for Nico, he put in a very engaged performance today," coach Joachim Loew told RTL. "He made a very good impression on me in training." Germany had prioritised defensive stability in their 0-0 draw with France three days earlier, but they were out to score goals in Sinsheim, and forced several chances in the opening 20 minutes. Marco Reus twice came close, while Matthias Ginter's header forced a smart save from Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. "We had more chances and were more ambitious going forward today than we were against .
Del Potro backs Djokovic to break Federer's 20-Slam record
Juan Martin del Potro believes Novak Djokovic can end his career as the most successful Grand Slam title winner, surpassing Roger Federer's current mark of 20. Djokovic clinched his third US Open title on Sunday with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 triumph over del Potro, taking him level with Pete Sampras's mark of 14 Grand Slams. The 31-year-old Serb is now just three behind Rafael Nadal and six back from Federer. "Of course he can," said Del Potro when asked if Djokovic can claim the record over Federer who is almost six years his senior. "He has 14 already. He won two Grand Slams in one year. He's healthy. He has a great team working with him. "Hopefully him, Rafa, Roger will still fight for Grand Slams, because it is so nice to watch them fighting for the history. "We just do what we can against them. But Novak has everything to make records in this sport." Del Potro was playing in his first Grand Slam final since lifting the US Open title in 2009 at the age of 20, beating Nadal and ...
WTA chief backs Serena as row grows over US Open 'sexism'
Serena Williams's claim that the code violations that sparked her meltdown in the US Open final were sexist stirred debate, with WTA Tour chief executive Steve Simon backing her on Sunday. Williams was handed three code violations -- and docked a point and then a game -- in her 6-2, 6-4 loss to Naomi Osaka in the Flushing Meadows final. Osaka out-played her childhood hero to become the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam, but her accomplishment was swamped in the controversy surrounding 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams. The American superstar claimed that chair umpire Carlos Ramos meted out penalties for infractions that male players could have gotten away with, specifically a violation for verbal abuse after she called him a "thief" and a "liar" for warning her for coaching from her players' box, then docking her a point when a racquet abuse violation followed. Eventually she was docked a game -- putting Osaka on the brink of victory. Simon said the affair brought to the ...
Champion Osaka 'grateful' for US Open chance
US Open champion Naomi Osaka tweeted Sunday she was "grateful" for the chance to take on childhood hero Serena Williams for her first Grand Slam title. Osaka became the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Williams. "So there's been a lot going on but I just want to say, I was grateful to have the opportunity to play on that stage yesterday. Thank you," tweeted the 20-year-old Osaka, who is projected to rise to seventh in the world rankings on Monday. She posed with her trophy at Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center in New York. Osaka's victory was overshadowed by three code violations meted out to Williams, which led to an emotional outburst from the 23-time Grand Slam champion in the second set and made for a chaotic end to the match. Williams was hit with a $17,000 fine for the violations, and debate raged as to whether it was the actions of chair umpire Carlos Ramos or of Williams herself that were more deserving of censure.
All Asia Cup matches awarded ODI status
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday announced that it has granted ODI status to all matches in the upcoming Asia Cup 2018.The tournament will see Hong Kong as the only participating team without an ODI status. Hong Kong defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the final of the qualifiers to book their place in the prestigious tournament. They will face Pakistan and India on September 16 and 18 in their first-round matches."To grant ODI status to all matches in the Asia Cup is a positive step taken by the ICC Board as we continue to take an in-depth look at international cricket structures in relation to our long-term ambition of growing the game and adding to the one billion fans who already follow the sport," ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said in a media release."This decision was informed by our review of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier earlier this year where there was a mix of games with and without international status which proved to be confusing for ..
Djokovic wins third US Open men's singles title
Novak Djokovic of Serbia has defeated the third seed Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in straight sets to claim his third US Open men's singles title.
Djokovic tops Del Potro to clinch third US Open title
World number six Novak Djokovic produced a scintillating display of tennis as he lifted his third US Open title after sweeping aside Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina in straight sets in the finals of the tournament on Sunday.The 31-year-old Serbian survived an epic second set before he ran through the third set to clinch a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 win over world number six Potro in the summit showdown of the men's singles event that lasted three hours and 15 minutes."Support of my loved ones [was what got me here]. My kids and family and support team that has been through this all with me. When I had my surgery this year I could understand what Juan Martin went through. But you learn from adversity when you're down. I tried to take the best out of myself from those moments," Djokovic addressed the crowd after the match.With the win, the 31-year-old won his second straight Grand Slam title and added 14th overall in his kitty. Swiss maestro Roger Federer has 20 titles while Spaniard Rafael ..
Serena Williams fined $17,000 for US Open meltdown
23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams on Sunday was fined a total of $17,000 for three code violations during the final of the US Open against Japan's Naomi Osaka.The 36-years-old superstar launched a tirade against chair umpire Carlos Ramos after the latter issued a warning to her for getting coaching instructions from the stands in the second set.Williams lost her cool and verbally abused the umpire, calling him a 'liar' and a 'thief'.The American tennis star was docked $10,000 for 'verbal abuse' of the chair umpire, $4000 for being warned for coaching from the stands, and $3,000 for smashing and breaking her racket from her $1.85 million prize money that she won after finishing as the runner-up against Osaka.However, Serena received support from across the tennis world that included tennis legend Billie Jean King."When a woman is emotional, she's "hysterical" and she's penalized for it. When a man does the same, he's "outspoken" & and there are no repercussions. Thank ...
England take healthy lead against India despite Jadeja heroics (Roundup)
Playing in his final Test, Alastair Cook looked solid and helped England take the upper hand in the fifth and final rubber against India despite Ravindra Jadeja's batting heroics, at the end of day 3 here on Sunday.
England lead by 154, Jadeja's batting heroics keeps India in contest
Alastair Cook and Joe Root took England to 114/2 with a lead of 154 runs after India rode Ravindra Jadeja's batting heroics to post 292 in their first innings on Day 3 of the fifth and final test here on Sunday.
Cook stands tall in final Test as England take healthy lead against India
Alastair Cook displayed his all-too familiar obduracy and powered England to a position of strength in the fifth Test against India, laying the groundwork for a swansong befitting a distinguished career. Cook was unbeaten on 46 runs in his last international innings as England reached 114 for 2 at stumps on day three at the Oval. At end of play, he had put on 52 runs for the third wicket with skipper Joe Root (29) as England took a 154-run lead. Post tea, Cook and Keaton Jennings (10) extended their opening partnership to 27. It wasn't a frustrating stand yet, but it became quickly so for India as they wasted both reviews on the openers within three overs after the break. On both occasions, Ravindra Jadeja (1-36) and keeper Rishabh Pant convinced skipper Virat Kohli to go for the reviews, despite the ball missing the off-stump. Mohammed Shami (1-32) then bowled Jennings in the 13th over. Cook and Moeen Ali (20) put on 35 runs for the second wicket and took England past 50 in the 24th .
England reach 114/2, lead India by 154 runs
England reached 114 for two in their second innings at stumps on the third day of the fifth Test against India here Sunday. At the close of play, England led by 154 runs with eight wickets remaining at the Oval. Brief scores: England: 332 and 114/2 in 43 overs (Alastair Cook 46 batting, Joe Root 29 batting) India 1st innings: 292 all out in 95 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 86 not out, Hanuma Vihari 56).
Arpinder first Indian to bag medal in IAAF Continental Cup
Arpinder Singh on Sunday became the first Indian to win a medal in IAAF Continental Cup here.
Senegal and Madagascar draw in tragic Africa Cup of Nations game
At least one person was killed and nearly 40 were injured in a stampede ahead of an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Sunday in which Madagascar hit back twice to draw 2-2 with Senegal. The casualty figures were confirmed by the director of a hospital in the Malagasy capital Antananarivo, where the Group A match was staged in the 30,000-capacity Mahamasina Stadium. Witnesses told AFP there was a stampede at an entrance to the venue just before the 1130 GMT (2:30pm local time) kick-off. One person was killed and 37 injured, including two who were said to be in a serious condition with head and chest injuries. Fans had queued outside the stadium nine hours before the start of the eagerly-awaited match with Liverpool star Sadio Mane in the line-up of 2018 World Cup qualifiers Senegal. The result left Senegal and Madagascar -- who lie 83 places below their opponents in the world rankings -- as co-Group A leaders with four points each after two rounds. Senegal beat Equatorial Guinea 3-0 in .