Page 1161 - Sports
'Defeat will stay with me forever,' says devastated Thiem
Dominic Thiem said his epic defeat to close friend Rafael Nadal in the US Open quarter-finals will "stay with me forever". Defending champion Nadal downed battling ninth seed Thiem 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/5) to reach the semi-finals for the seventh time. In a gripping 4-hour 49-minute contest, which concluded at 2.04 a.m. on Wednesday, world number one Nadal won through to keep his bid for a fourth title in New York and 18th Grand Slam crown on track. "It's going to be stuck in my mind forever. Forever I'm going to remember this match, for sure," said Thiem after his first ever hard court match against Nadal. "Tennis is cruel sometimes because I think this match didn't really deserve a loser. But there has to be one. "It ended up in the fifth set tiebreaker, there it's 50/50. He made one more point than me." Thiem handed Nadal, against whom he lost in the Roland Garros final in June, just his fourth ever 'bagel' set at the Slams. That was wrapped up in just 24 minutes with ...
Funds for 2020 Olympics will be distributed with surgical precision: Rathore
Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has promised "surgical" precision in distribution of funds to athletes preparing for the 2020 Olympic Games, asserting that centralisation of the process has made bureaucratic hurdles a thing of past. Speaking to PTI on the sidelines of a function to felicitate medal winners of the recently-concluded 18th Asian Games in Indonesia, Rathore elaborated on the initiatives, that he feels, have put India on the path of becoming a sporting powerhouse. "We have very clearly and very professionally divided our working between grassroots and elite sportspersons. The elite athletes are being looked after by a different set of professional people so that there is no bureaucracy," Rathore, an olympic silver-medallist in double-trap shooting, said. "We have just begun working on systems that can connect the athletes to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) absolutely straight, transparent and quick," he added. TOPS was instituted in 2014 to fund athletes
Have to improve reflexes, agility ahead of Tokyo Olympics: Manika Batra
Manika Batra, who created history by becoming the first Indian female paddler to win an Asian Games medal, is now planning to work overtime in order to improve her reflexes and agility and come close to matching her Asian counterparts by the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Bronze for junior shooters, seniors misfire at World Championships
Divyansh Singh Panwar and Shreya Agarwal netted a bronze in the 10m air rifle mixed team junior event but India's senior shooters drew a blank on day four of the ISSF World Championships here. Divyansh and Shreya first took the fifth and final qualification spot among 42 teams with a score of 834.4 and then shot a combined 435 in the finals to fetch the third place Wednesday. The Italian pair of Sofia Benetti and Marco Suppini won gold, while Iran's Sadeghian Armina and Mohammed Amir Nekounam claimed the silver in the event. Another Indian pairing of Elavenil Valarivan and Hriday Hazarika finished 13th with a score of 829.5 in the same event. India now have three gold, three silver and three bronze medals after four days of competition at the prestigious International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) tournament. It is already their best ever showing and the country is currently placed joint third in the medal standings behind hosts Korea, Russia and China. However, junior medal could .
US Open contenders feeling the heat
Weather was a hot topic at the US Open again as players again battled high heat and humidity as well as each other in a bid for semi-final berths. A day after Roger Federer's hopes of a sixth title melted away in a shock loss to 55th-ranked John Millman, the US Open's extreme heat policy was again in effect, allowing a 10-minute break in both men's and women's matches that went beyond straight sets on Tuesday. "I had a shower, lay on the table and I didn't want to come back again," third-seeded Argentine Juan Martin del Potro said of how he spent the break in his 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 victory over American John Isner. "It was too hot to play tennis," Del Potro quipped. But the combination of heat, humidity and blazing sunshine was no joke. Junior matches were suspended for several hours when the wet bulb globe temperature measurement -- which assesses the effects of heat, humidity, sunlight and wind, exceeded 32.2 C -- a level that poses risk of heat stress. Federer, who has .
World Cup finalists Croatia face Portugal but look to the future
Still riding the wave of their historic World Cup run, Croatia are heading for a potential reality check as their new season starts with a friendly against Portugal in Faro on Thursday. It will be the tiny Balkan nation's first match since the side led by star midfielder Luka Modric succumbed to France in the World Cup final in July -- a loss celebrated like a victory by underdogs who had never made it so far on the world stage. That fairytale glow took the spotlight off controversies plaguing football in Croatia, from the unsavoury ultra-nationalism of its hardcore supporters to a litany of legal problems. But fans will be reminded of the former when Croatia face England in its first Nations League home match on October 12. The game will be played in an empty stadium -- punishment by UEFA for the swastika drawn on a pitch in Split, on Croatia's Adriatic coast, ahead of a Euro 2016 qualifier with Italy. The perpetrators were never found, but it was not the first time Croatian fans ...
Del Potro beats Isner, ends American hopes to reach third US Open semi-final
Juan Martin del Potro reached the US Open semi-finals for the third time, defeating John Isner 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 and ending American hopes of a first men's champion at the event since 2003. Argentine third seed Del Potro, the champion in 2009, goes on to face either world number one and defending champion Rafael Nadal or Austria's Dominic Thiem for a place in the final. Del Potro dropped his first set of the tournament against 11th seed Isner, who was playing in his maiden quarter-final at his home Slam. Despite that, the 29-year-old was never broken in the 3 hour 31 minute match where Isner unleashed 26 aces but was undone by 52 unforced errors compared to Del Potro's 14. "To reach the semi-final again here in New York in my favourite tournament is very special to me," said Del Potro on Tuesday after his eighth win over Isner in 12 meetings. "To play John in these kind of matches, it's like an epic. "We fought the whole match and I survived with my serve which was ...
Six-time champion Serena into US Open semi-finals as champion Stephens exits
Six-time champion Serena Williams shook off a sluggish start to power past eighth-seeded Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 6-3 and into the US Open semi-finals. The US superstar, chasing a record-equalling 24th major title, surrendered an early break to Pliskova, but she roared back with a streak of eight straight games to put away the opening set and take a 4-0 lead in the second against the woman who beat her in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows in 2016. "I just wanted to play better," Williams said of her mindset as she trailed 3-1 in the first on Tuesday. "I was thinking, you know, I can play better, so that was the good news." Williams did indeed cut down on the errors, and came up with the big serves when she needed them. She finished the match with 13 aces and will take on Anastasija Sevastova for a place in the final after the 19th-seeded Latvian toppled defending champion Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-3. Pliskova, who managed to convert just two of 12 break point chances in the contest, said
Australian cricket draws up cultural charter to avoid scandals
Australian cricket is drawing up a cultural blueprint in which players will pledge to uphold certain standards in a move away from their win-at-all-costs mentality, according to skipper Tim Paine. The player charter is being developed in the wake of a ball-tampering scandal in March that rocked the game and cost captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner their jobs. Coach Darren Lehmann also resigned amid criticism that he allowed an attitude within the team to flourish that led to the embarrassing episode. Two reviews into the state of the game were set up in the aftermath -- one focusing on the culture within Cricket Australia and the other into the team. Paine told the Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday that he and new coach Justin Langer were playing a central role in formalising a blueprint for players to follow to ensure such scandals never happen again. He said the new team charter, linked to the reviews, could be in place ahead of their Test series against Pakistan in the ...
Serena Williams cruises into US Open semi-finals
Former World No. 1 and Serena Williams on Tuesday (local time) went past Czech Republic's Karolína Pliskova in straight sets to enter the semi-finals of the women's singles event in the US Open for the tenth successive year.The six-time US Open champion registered a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Pliskova, who beat Serena in the semi-finals of the competition two years ago, to keep her hopes of winning a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title alive.The current World No. 26 Williams got off to a good start in the first set winning the first game, but an array of unenforced errors led to her being pegged back by the No. 8 seeded Czech in back-to-back games.Reeling from a 2-4 position, Serena turned on the style and won eight consecutive games to wrap up the first set and establish a 4-0 lead in the second, effectively sealing her spot in the semi-final.The Czech rallied back into the contest to pull three games back but it wasn't enough to prevent Williams from a straight sets victory. The ...
The Spartan Poker launches 1st edition of Big Win tournament
The Spartan Poker, India's leading online Poker gaming portal, launched their latest tournament, the Big Win. The competition will run through the entire month of September and promises a host of exclusive prizes.Following the huge success of the second edition of their marquee tournament property, India Online Poker Championship, the Big Win tournament brings in a thrilling and promising month of poker where 'Everybody is a Winner'.All eyes will be on the most coveted prize of the tournament, a stylish Mercedes Benz CLA that requires the user to reach the highest level - level 10. Other prizes up for grabs include an all expenses paid trip to the United States, a Sony 4k Ultra HD LED Smart TV, a Fitbit and an Echo Dot, among many more.The tournament will consist of ten levels, with grand prizes to be won at every stage. The objective is to generate maximum VIP points, which as Spartan loyalists are aware are the loyalty points awarded to players who invest in real money games."At The
Sandeep, Rana fight back in Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare
Sandeep Sharma and Suresh Rana made a gallant fightback for Team Maruti Suzuki in the 10th Edition of the Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare, taking the fourth and sixth positions after Day 2 here on Tuesday. Suzuki's Sandeep, and his co-driver Anmol Rampal, was at his aggressive best on the day, clocking 58.09 minutes in three Special Stages and one Super Special Stage for a cumulative timing of 03:35:05 over the first two days. His teammate, 10-time Raid de Himalaya champion Suresh Rana (with Chirag Thakur), also fought back bravely to climb from the 11th position to take the sixth position. Rana, who fell behind after enduring a punctured tyre on Day 1, caught up on lost time by going flat out and even posting the day's third best timing. "I did not have the best of starts to the rally. But I am glad that I could get back into the fray. Our team (Maruti Suzuki) has its hopes pinned on me and I am quite sure that I will keep improving and fight till the end to defend my title," Rana ...
Russia's anti-doping head gloomy on WADA reinstatement
The head of Russia's anti-doping body on Tuesday was downcast about the prospects of the organisation being reinstated into the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The governing body of world athletics has said it will uphold Russia's ban from track and field events over mass doping until such a reinstatement takes place. "My forecast is negative," RUSADA director-general Yury Ganus told a press conference in Moscow regarding the chances of readmission when the WADA executive committee meets on September 20. Ganus, who was appointed RUSADA chief last year, said WADA was under "huge pressure, including political pressure". RUSADA was suspended from the world organisation in November 2015 following revelations of a vast doping scandal involving Moscow's main drug-testing laboratory. WADA has set out a roadmap detailing the path the body must undertake to rejoin the ranks of recognised testing authorities. RUSADA has already seen staff changes and serious reforms aimed at restoring the ...
BSNL signs Indian boxer Mary Kom as brand ambassador
State-run telecom firm BSNL Monday roped in Indian boxer MC Mary Kom as as its brand ambassador for two years. "I am sure with her presence on our side. her agreeing to be BSNL brand ambassador, is going to send huge message to competitors also. BSNL has already shown in such intense competition, how well can BSNL do," telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan said on the occasion. BSNL will run television commercials, print advertisements and tariff plan endorsement with Kom. "There is a lot of similarity between strength of BSNL and Mary Kom. We are delighted to have associated BSNL with her for period of next two years. We will spent Rs 30 lakh during this period on brand promotion," BSNL chairman and managing Director Anupam Shrivastava said. Kom, who could not participate in Asian Games 2018 because of injury, said she will continue to fight in tournaments to win matches. "One thing I always say is never give up, always fight and win. BSNL is also full of energy and together we will .
Countdown for 2020 Olympics has started: Rathore
Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Tuesday said the countdown for 2020 Olympics has started for the Indian athletes after the country's best-ever medal haul in the Asian Games. A visibly delighted Rathore congratulated Indian medal winners of the just-concluded Asian Games but said their real journey has just begun. "You made the entire country proud with your achievements. We salute the passion you have shown but this journey is not complete," Rathore said during a function to felicitate the medal winners with cash awards here. "The countdown now has started for the Olympics (2020 Tokyo). You can't be satisfied with this. You should always think about what is the next," the minister said in his address to the athletes. The minister said the medal winners have now become ambassadors and their job is to pass across positive message to the society. "You have now become ambassadors of your sport, ambassadors of your state and for youngsters of the country. So your message ...
Sandeep, Rana fight back in Dakshin Dare rally
Sandeep Sharma and Suresh Rana scripted a gallant fightback for Team Maruti Suzuki in the 10th edition of the Dakshin Dare, taking the fourth and sixth positions respectively after Day 2 here on Tuesday evening.
Indonesia finalises preparations for Asian Para Games
The Indonesian government has put the finishing touches on the preparations for the Asian Paralympic Games scheduled to be held in the country later this year.
Indonesia looks to host Olympics in 2032
Indonesia will bid to host the 2032 Summer Olympics, following its successful organisation of the 2018 Asian Games.
Anmolpreet, Bhui prop up India Blue in Duleep Trophy final
Young Punjab batsman Anmolpreet Singh missed out on a well deserved century by four runs even as helped India Blue recover from 107 for 4 to 260 for 5 against India Red on the opening day of the Duleep Trophy final Tuesday at NPR College ground here. Electing to bat after winning the toss, skipper Faiz Fazal (32, 44 balls, 4X4) and Smit Patel (22, 47 balls, 4X4) provided a solid start, adding 50 runs before the latter was leg-before to off-spinner Parvez Rasool (2 for 65). Fazal, who has played a solitary ODI for the country in 2016, fell six runs later, bowled by leg-spinner Mihir Hirwani, son of former India bowler Narendra Hirwani. Delhi batsman Dhruv Shorey, who has been in good touch in the tournament, grafted his way to 18 in 70 balls, added 44 runs with Deepak Jagbir Hooda (26, 84 balls, 3X4) before falling to M Prasidh Krishna. When Hooda was dismissed seven runs later, caught by Siddhesh Lad off Rasool, India Blue looked in a spot of bother. Anmolpreet and ...
Keaton Jennings retained for fifth Test against India
England have retained left-hand batsman Keaton Jennings in their 13-member squad for the final Test of the ongoing five-match series against India, beginning September 7 at the Oval.Jennings, who made a total of 159 runs in his last eight innings with a meagre average of 19.87, has been recalled on the back of his battling effort of 36 runs during the second innings of the fourth Test match in Southampton, ESPNcricinfo.com reported.Batting all-rounder Chris Woakes, who missed the last Test owing to a knee injury, has also been given a place in the 13-member squad. He had impressed the national selectors with an impressive knock of 137 runs during the second Test at Lord's.The probable names of youngsters like James Vince and Jamie porter were missing from the squad indicating towards a more cautious approach of the English side ahead of the last Test.The Oval Test holds significance not only for the English side but for the cricket lovers all over the world as it will be the last ...