Page 1642 - Sports
Bertens wrecks Wozniacki's number one hopes in Madrid
Caroline Wozniacki's hopes of returning to the world number one spot were dashed on Wednesday by a surprise defeat to Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens at the Madrid Open. Wozniacki would have taken top spot from Simona Halep had she won the title this week, but the Dane saw Bertens progress to the quarter-finals instead thanks to a 6-2, 6-2 victory. After winning her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January, Wozniacki moved back to the summit of the rankings for the first time since 2012. But clay is not the 27-year-old's favourite surface and she struggled to cope with the craft of Bertens, whose five WTA titles, the latest in Charleston last month, have all come on the red dirt. Bertens will now face either Maria Sharapova or Kristina Mladenovic for a place in the semi-finals. The world number 16 reached the quarter-finals at the French Open in 2016 before losing to Serena Williams.
Wozniacki upset by Bertens; Halep keeps No.1 spot
Dutch woman tennis player Kiki Bertens on Wednesday knocked out Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-2 in the Madrid Open pre-quarterfinals.
Edmund eliminates Djokovic from Madrid Open 2nd Round
Kyle Edmund of the United Kingdom on Wednesday upset two-time champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the second round of the Madrid Open tennis championship.
Serena pulls out of Italian Open
US tennis legend Serena Williams withdrew from the Italian Open, citing a need for additional training after returning to the court from maternity leave earlier this year.
Mixed day for Indian shuttlers at Australian Open
India's B. Sai Praneeth defeated Misha Zilberman of Israel in straight games in the opening round of the Australian Open badminton tournament here on Wednesday.
Cricket Australia cancels hosting Bangladesh: Report
Cricket Australia (CA) has on Wednesday reportedly cancelled hosting Bangladesh later this year citing financial reasons.
Six CWG stars join TOPS, Narang out
Six Commonwealth Games medallists from the track and field, shooting and weightlifting disciplines were today inducted into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, with the Sports Ministry including discus thrower Seema Punia and leaving out seasoned shooter Gagan Narang. 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist Narang was among the 12 athletes to have been dropped due to poor performance and fitness issues. The Mission Olympic Cell met today to review the performances of athletes who were part of TOPS and to discuss the inclusion of potential medal-winners in the scheme. Two weightlifters who were originally there only till the 2018 Commonwealth Games were also included, Sports Authority of India (SAI) said in a release. The 34-year-old Punia has been one of India's most distinguished track and field stars. A three-time Olympian, she has won laurels for the country at both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. Her standout performance was the gold medal-winning effort at the the 2014 ...
CWG shooting champ Manu unpeturbed with heavy competition schedule (IANS Interview)
Teenaged shooting sensation Manu Bhaker is bracing up for a busy period of three to four months ahead with the ISSF World Cups, World Championships, Asian Games and the Youth Olympic Games lined up one after another.
Middlesex signs Dwayne Bravo for T20 Blast
West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has signed up to play for Middlesex in the upcoming Vitality Blast - England's domestic T20 competition.
Pokes Sports League season 2 begins in Goa
The second edition of Poker Sports League began in Goa on Wednesday with 11 city-based teams from across the country competing for a Rs 4.5 crore purse.
Olympic Council of Asia lauds Asiad preparation
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has expressed admiration for the preparation of the Asian Games being undertaken by Indonesia.
IPL: KKR elect to field against Mumbai
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Dinesh Karthik won the toss and elected to field against Mumbai Indians (MI) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) game at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday.
Mourinho 'very positive' that Ferguson will recover
Jose Mourinho says Manchester United are "very positive" that former manager Alex Ferguson will recover from the brain haemorrhage that has left him in intensive care. Ferguson, who won 38 trophies during an unrivalled 26-year reign at Old Trafford, needed emergency surgery last weekend after a fall at his home near Manchester. It is understood that the surgery went well, with reports suggesting the Scot has been able to talk to family and friends, although there has been no official update on his condition. United boss Mourinho declined to answer when asked on Wednesday if he had been to visit Ferguson, saying he wanted to respect the family's wish for privacy. However, he did say everyone at the club was optimistic that the United great would recover. "We are confident," said Mourinho. "The club is positive, very positive." Ferguson has received messages of support from around the world over the past few days, and Mourinho said that can only lift United as they prepare for ...
Tiger to roar again at British Open after two year absence: organisers
Three time British Open winner Tiger Woods is to play in this year's championship for the 20th time but first since 2015, tournament organisers announced on Wednesday. The 42-year-old American -- a 14 time Major winner -- returned to competitive golf this season after missing most of the previous two years through injury and finished tied for 32nd at last month's Masters. "Three-time Champion Golfer Tiger Woods plans to tee it up at Carnoustie for The 147th Open after confirming his entry into golf's original Championship," read the statement from the organisers. "The confirmation of the entry from one of the greatest golfers ever to grace the sport will delight fans around the world." Woods, who is playing at the "fifth major" The Players Championship in his first competitive outing since The Masters, has played two Opens at Carnoustie, finishing seventh in 1999 and 12th in 2007 which is the last time the Open was held at the course. Woods, champion in 2000, 2005 and 2006, missed the
Clarke surprised by Kohli's decision to skip Afghanistan Test
Surprised by Virat Kohli's decision to skip the Afghanistan Test, Australia's World Cup winning captain Michael Clarke feels the Indian skipper should fly back from Surrey to play the historic one-off Test in Bengaluru. The Indian captain has decided to give the landmark June 14-18 Test a miss to prepare for the England tour by playing for Surrey in the County Championship, a decision that has evoked mixed response. In an interactive session with cricket historian Boria Majumdar, Clarke said he always prioritised playing Test cricket, irrespective of the opposition. "I'm really surprised... I don't know why, it's Virat's choice. I think a Test match is a Test match. I don't care who we play against. It has to be your number one priority," Clarke said at the session organised by the Indian Chambers of Commerce. "To represent your country is the most special feeling in the world. I would like to see him fly back and play the Test, a bit of gap in the schedule which can allow him to do ..
I will continue to shoot in juniors for next four years: Manu Bhaker
A chock-a-block international calendar and a looming burnout threat notwithstanding, teen sensation Manu Bhaker today said she will continue to shoot in junior events for the next four years, apart from simultaneously competing in the senior shooting tournaments. Last month, the 16-year-old Bhaker was in a league of her own as she shattered two records en route to adding the Commonwealth Games gold medal to the glowing list of achievements in her relatively nascent career. "I have four more years left in junior and I plan to shoot all these four years. I want to shoot both junior and senior simultaneously and gain as much experience as possible," Bhaker, a gold medallist on her maiden senior ISSF World Cup, told PTI. Bhaker has a packed calendar ahead, beginning with the senior and junior World Cups in Germany -- Munich and Suhl -- followed by a tournament in Czech Republic. Also lined up are big-ticket events such as the Asian Games in Indonesia, World Championships in Korea, which .
Good show in England can open senior team doors: Bawne
Maharashtra batsman Ankit Bawne is hopeful of putting up a good show for India 'A' in the four-day game in England which he feels can give him a berth in the senior team. The right-handed batsman said he is gearing up to counter the alien conditions. "This (England tour of India 'A') is an important tour. For me, it's a good opportunity because if I do well in this series, then selectors will notice it," the 25-year-old told PTI today. "I have done well in past India 'A' tours. I have done well in South Africa and (against) New Zealand (for India 'A' in India). So I have some performances to back me up. If I do well in England, I can give the selectors the kind of impression that this guy can perform in England also, as we know bowlers and pitches in England are competitive. "If I do well there (in England), that is going to get the eye of selectors and they are going to start believing that this guy can perform in all situations and (on) all wickets. So that way I am ..
India aware day-night Test won't suit them: Clarke
Terming this as a "chance" for India to script their first-ever Test series win Down Under, former Australia captain Michael Clarke on Wednesday said India had their reasons to back out of a Day/Night match during their tour later this year.
Clarke 'surprised' by Kohli's decison to skip Afghan Test
Australia's World Cup winning captain Michael Clarke said on Wednesday he is "surprised" by Virat Kohli's decision to skip India's one-off Test against Afghanistan next month in order to play for English county side Surrey and prepare better for India's long tour of England.
Man dies on platform while waiting to welcome new-look train
Minutes before the Mumbai-Manmad Panchavati Express, converted into hi-end Linke-Hofmann-Busch class from today, chugged into the station, the man who was an integral part of that transformation, died while waiting on the platform to welcome the train. Bipin Gandhi, 66, suffered a heart attack and died on the spot, railway police said, adding they have registered a case of accidental death. Gandhi, founder of NGO Rail Parishad, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His body will be taken to Bhuj in Gujarat for last rites, family sources said. Hundreds of passengers regularly travel on this train that runs between Mumbai and Manmad in Nashik district. Gandhi was credited with turning the C3 A/C coach - also called the Adarsh coach - on the Panchavati Express into a unique phenomenon. The Adarsh coach allows entry only to monthly season ticket holders and its passengers follow a voluntary code of conduct. Other than ensuring strict prohibition ..