Page 1836 - Sports
Vettel goes fastest on slicks in Australian GP practice
Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel grabbed the fastest time in the final seconds of the third practice session ahead of qualifying for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix here today. Vettel, bidding for his fifth world title this year, capitalised on racing on slicks in drying track conditions after morning rain. The German trumped teammate Kimi Raikkonen by a whopping 2.432 seconds as varying track conditions made for differing tyre choices. Vettel clocked the fastest lap of one minute 26.067 seconds to leapfrog Red Bull's Max Verstappen after the Renault of Carlos Sainz had hit the front on slicks. Verstappen's teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who was slapped with a three-place grid penalty for a red flag infringement in Friday's second practice, was sixth ahead of the Mercedes pair of Valtteri Bottas and world champion Lewis Hamilton. At one stage during the slippery track conditions, Hamilton was heard over the team radio to exclaim: "Something wrong" to which the Mercedes crew replied "Stop,
Youngsters prepared to win matches for India: Shikhar Dhawan
The inexperienced India side, with a bunch of young players, recently lifted the Nidahas Trophy with a powerful all-round display on field and this makes swashbuckling opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan believe that a strong message has been sent out that the young squad has the strength to bring trophies for India."It was a great achievement to win the Nidahas trophy as we have young bowling unit and youngsters coming in. We all showed a great character. We lost the first match, but came back strong on the opposition and took it out from there. The way we ended the tournament was quite thrilling. We all loved it, our adrenaline was very high," Dhawan told ANI, on the sideline of an ALCIS event.The Rohit Sharma-led young side suffered a five-wicket defeat in their opening game of the tri-series, but bounced back strong to return home with the trophy.India went into the series in absence of some of their key players like regular skipper Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and others, while Sri Lanka and
World No. 2 Wozniacki crashes out of Miami Open
Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki slumped to a shock 0-6, 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Monica Puig as she suffered her quickest ever exit from the WTA Miami Open. The 27-year-old world number two appeared to be headed to an easy victory yesterday after winning the first set in less than 30 minutes before the wheels fell off. Puerto Rico's Puig, who won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Summer Games, clinched the win with a blistering forehand winner on the second match point. It was another disappointing exit for Wozniacki, who finally silenced her critics earlier this year with her maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne, where she defeated Simona Halep in the final. Wozniacki drops to 17-5 on the season as she has now crashed out of her last two tournaments in stunning fashion. In her most recent WTA event in Indian Wells, Wozniacki was upset in the round of 16 by rising Russian star Daria Kasatkina.
'Welcome to Zlatan': Ibrahimovic makes play for LA's heart
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has really always belonged in Hollywood. The powerful 6-foot-5 Swedish forward has loomed above soccer for nearly two decades, captivating the world with his sublime physical talent and uniquely outrageous personality. He has scored hundreds of majestic goals, won dozens of trophies and scuffled with a few teammates on his journey from Malmo to Milan to Manchester. When Ibrahimovic officially landed with the LA Galaxy yesterday, he announced his arrival in a new nation with classic, theatrical, Zlatan-esque style. "Los Angeles, welcome to Zlatan," read the caption on a social media video featuring Ibrahimovic and a lion. "Dear Los Angeles, You're welcome," said the back page of the Los Angeles Times sports section, with Ibrahimovic's signature at the bottom of the mostly blank sheet. Ibrahimovic has been labelled as both a beloved hero and an arrogant villain during his career of high-scoring exploits, but most everyone would agree he is the very definition of a ...
Quintero stuns France as Colombia hit back to win 3-2
Substitute Juan Quintero lashed home a penalty five minutes from time as Colombia came back from 2-0 down to stun France 3-2 in a friendly here. Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti was penalised for a rash lunge on Quintero's fellow substitute Jose Izquierdo as the South Americans received a morale boost ahead of the World Cup in Russia. "My team showed World Cup character," beamed Colombia coach Jose Pekerman, whose side will face Poland, Senegal and Japan in Group H. "It's very important for this preparation for Russia." France coach Didier Deschamps admitted the visitors had shown greater desire. "The Colombians gave us a lesson in aggressiveness, whereas we were too quick to settle for what we had," he told TMC television. "The top level is demanding and we didn't respond in the second half." France will be up against Australia, Peru and Denmark in Group C in Russia. It was a remarkable turnaround after the hosts had got off to a flying start at the Stade de France. Olivier Giroud
Ronaldo's last-gasp two-goal show steals Salah limelight
Cristiano Ronaldo hit two goals in stoppage time as European champions Portugal defeated Egypt 2-1 in a friendly international, winning his personal duel with Mohamed Salah who had put the seven-time African champions ahead. Ronaldo, appearing in his 900th career match, made his mark to devastating effect as time ran out. First, he pulled his team level with a header from a Ricardo Quaresma cross, before adding the winner in almost identical circumstances in the fourth minute of injury time. However, the 33-year-old Real Madrid star had to wait for the VAR system to validate his goal after a suspicion of offside. His two-goal salvo took his Portugal tally to 81. Earlier, Salah, who has shone at Liverpool this season with 28 Premier League goals, broke the deadlock in Zurich after 56 minutes. After a quickfire exchange of passes, Abdallah El Said found Salah in space for his teammate to beat Beto in the Portuguese goal with a sweetly-timed left-foot strike from the edge of the ...
Lingard strike sees new-look England enjoy Dutch friendly success
Jesse Lingard scored his first England goal as a reshaped side beat the Netherlands 1-0 in an Amsterdam friendly. This was England's last away match before they travel to Russia for this year's World Cup finals and they were rewarded with a well-deserved win against a Dutch side who will be one of the major absentees from the showpiece tournament. The result gave England their first win over the Netherlands since manager Gareth Southgate was a member of the side that triumphed 4-1 at Wembley during Euro 96. It also condemned Dutch great Ronald Koeman to defeat in his first match as manager of the Oranje. Several England players advanced their case for World Cup selection, with just next week's friendly at home to Italy to come before Southgate picks his squad. "It was a good test for us, we came away from home and controlled the game," Southgate told ITV Sport. - 'Delighted for Jesse' - ========================= Turning to Lingard, he added: "I'm delighted for Jesse, he's a player ...
Spain draw shows Loew areas for Germany improvement
Germany head coach Joachim Loew says he knows the areas where the defending champions must improve before the World Cup after drawing 1-1 with Spain. Rodrigo Moreno put Spain ahead after just six minutes in Duesseldorf, but hosts Germany levelled when Thomas Mueller hit a superb equaliser in his 90th international. "There was a good intensity to the game, it was a test in which we were able to learn a lot," said Loew. "Both teams have room to improve and you do not always want to show everything so soon before a World Cup." Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta gave the Germany midfield a masterclass during the first 45 minutes. The 33-year-old outplayed Germany midfielders Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos by producing countless silky passes at the heart of Spain's attack. "You could see that Spain had a lot of combinations who play together regularly and had that automatic understanding," said Loew. "We knew that Spain are hard to defend against, you have to almost defend against them ...
Venus Williams rallies to advance at Miami Open
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams stormed back from deficits in both sets to defeat qualifier Natalia Vikhlyantseva 7-5, 6-4 in the second round of the WTA Miami Open. The 37-year-old American improved to 7-3 on the season as she clinched the victory on the second match point when the 21-year-old Russian smacked a forehand wide. Williams trailed 2-5 in the first set but won five straight games to take the opener. She also rallied in the second set, falling behind 0-3 before winning six of the next seven for the victory. Williams advances to the third round where she will face 29th seeded Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands, who outlasted American Varvara Lepchenko 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.
Messi isn't missed as Argentina down Italy
Ever Banega ensured Argentina weren't derailed by Lionel Messi's absence as the World Cup contenders clinched a 2-0 win over Italy in a friendly at the Etihad Stadium. Messi reportedly suffered an groin strain in training on Thursday, so the Barcelona forward was an unused substitute as Argentina kicked off their preparations for the World Cup in June. Ahead of a busy end to the domestic season and then the World Cup, five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi wasn't going to risk aggravating his injury. Without their talismanic star, Jorge Sampaoli's side showed they have strength in depth with a solid display capped by late goals from Banega and Manuel Lanzini. Having edged through to the World Cup thanks to Messi's treble in a 3-1 win over Ecuador in October, Argentina are focused on peaking in Russia, where they will play Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria in the group stage. Clearly they need Messi to have any chance of lifting the trophy, but, with Sergio Aguero also sidelined by injury, ...
McIlroy, Spieth ousted at WGC Match Play, Garcia and Thomas advance
World number four Jordan Spieth and seventh-ranked Rory McIlroy were ousted from the World Golf Championships Match Play Championship with defeats in final group matches. US 18th seed Brian Harman never trailed in dispatching McIlroy 5&3 and capturing his group with two wins and a draw. Spieth was knocked out by US Ryder Cup partner Patrick Reed, who won their much anticipated match 2&1. Reed, ranked 23rd in the world, never trailed and rolled in a 40-foot putt from off the 17th green to end Spieth's hopes of a first title of 2018. Both will now try to regroup with the first major of the year, the Masters, two weeks away. Sergio Garcia, tuning up for his Masters title defence at Augusta National, rallied from 2 down through 11 holes to beat rising US star Xander Schauffele 3&1 and reach the last 16. "Xander played unbelievable on the front nine, tricky conditions, and he kept making good putt after good putt on me," Garcia said. "So I was just hoping to stay in it and give
Dejected Djokovic looks for answers after Miami Open defeat
Six-time champion Novak Djokovic "ran out of gas" in a straight sets loss to Benoit Paire, while the red-hot Juan Martin Del Potro won his opening match at the ATP Miami Masters. It was another setback for the Serbian star Djokovic as he bids to return from the elbow injury that sidelined him for six months and finally saw him have "minor" surgical intervention after a disappointing Australian Open. "I'm trying, but it's not working," said Djokovic, who lost his opener 6-3, 6-4. "That's all it is. I mean, obviously I'm not feeling great when I'm playing this way." "Of course I want to be able to play as well as I want to play. Just, it's impossible at the moment. That's all." While Djokovic is struggling, world number six Del Potro is headed in the opposite direction. The 29-year-old Argentine showed why he is the hottest player on the ATP Tour right now with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 win over Robin Haase in his second round match. Paire broke Djokovic at love to seal the win, Djokovic dumping .
LPGA veteran Kerr takes five-shot lead at Kia Classic
Cristie Kerr fired eight birdies in an eight-under par 64 to take a five-shot lead after two rounds of the US LPGA Kia Classic in Carlsbad, California. Kerr, 40, had a 36-hole total of 13-under 131 on an Aviara course softened by rain. "I like winning, I like challenging myself," said Kerr, whose 20 LPGA victories include two in 2017. "The golf ball doesn't know an age. I've always said that. As long as I stay hungry, (I'm) going to just keep playing. "I'm trying not to put limits on myself right now," Kerr added. "I've got some good things going on with my swing. I had a great round." Kerr lifted the trophy in Carlsbad in 2015 with a final-round 65, setting a tournament scoring record of 20-under par. Her 13-under total broke the previous 36-hole tournament record of 10-under, achieved by five players most recently Jenny Shin in 2016. American Lizette Salas, Sweden's Caroline Hedwall and South Koreans Park Hee-young and Kim In-kyung shared second on 136. Salas carded a 67, Kim posted
Rain hits 3rd day of New Zealand-England Test
New Zealand batsman Henry Nicholls completed his sixth half century before rain stopped play today, the third day of the second cricket Test against England at Eden Park. Only 17 balls were bowled before rain, which allowed only 23.1 overs on the second day, further impeded the match. Nicholls resumed at 49 not out and went on to a patient half century which took three hours, 18 minutes and came from 143 balls with three fours. He was 52 not out when the rain began. B.J. Watling was 18 not out, having added only one to his overnight score, and New Zealand were 233, having added four, when players left the field. Tea was taken at that score. New Zealand are still in a commanding position in the match, leading England by 175 runs after bowling out the tourists for 58 in 20.4 overs on the first day. But rain is expected to persist today and tomorrow, threatening New Zealand's bid to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series. After England's dismissal for a record low score against New ...
Manu Bhaker shoots gold in junior World Cup
Indian shooting sensation Manu Bhaker continued her terrific run of form, claiming the gold medal after prevailing over Thailand's Kanyakorn Hirunphoem in a thrilling final of the women's 10m air pistol event at the ISSF Junior World Cup here today. Coming off a double gold in her maiden senior World Cup in Mexico recently, the 16-year-old Manu shot 235.9 to finish top of the podium, while Hirunphoem had to be contend with silver after scoring 234.9. Chinese Kaiman Lu (214.2) completed the podium by winning the bronze. Another Indian shooter in the fray, Devanshi Rana, also qualified for the final and finished fourth with 195.3. Manu, Rana and Mahima Agrawal also brought India on top of the team podium with , while Xiao, Lu and Li Xue won silver for China. Thailand's Hirunphoem, Luxciga Srinitivoravong and Warunyapha Kaewngoen took the team bronze. An exciting final characterised the 10m air pistol junior event as Manu prevailed over Hirunphoem (16) at the very last shot, securing ...
Afghanistan hold nerves to beat Ireland, qualify for 2019 World Cup
Afghanistan returned from the pit's edge to qualify for next year's ICC Cricket World Cup when they defeated Ireland by five wickets in a tension-filled last Super Six match of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 at the Harare Sports Club on Friday.Afghanistan were set for an early flight home when they lost their first three group matches but managed to qualify for the Super Six after Nepal upset Hong Kong. After winning both their Super Six matches against the Windies and the United Arab Emirates, they received an unexpected lifeline on Thursday when the UAE held their nerves to shock Zimbabwe by three runs.In Friday's shootout, Afghanistan suffocated Ireland for runs on what looked like a good batting surface and restricted them to 209 for seven. They then almost made a hash of a straightforward run-chase before coasting home for the loss of five wickets with five balls to spare in what turned out to be a battle of attrition.Afghanistan have joined the Windies as the second ...
Chile head coach promises attractive, disciplined football going forward
Chile's new head coach promised on Friday that his side will play an attractive yet disciplined brand of football during his tenure, which will kick off on Saturday with a friendly versus World Cup-bound Sweden in Stockholm.
Morkel reaches 300 Test wickets as South Africa take leading edge
Fast bowler Morne Morkel took his 300th Test wicket as South Africa bowled themselves into a strong position on the second day of the third Test against Australia at Newlands today. Australia were 245 for nine when bad light ended play, 66 runs behind South Africa's first innings total of 311. But it could have been worse for Australia. They were in deep trouble at 175 for eight before Nathan Lyon hit a Test-best 47 in a ninth wicket partnership of 66 with Tim Paine, who was unbeaten on 33. Morkel, who will retire from international cricket after the series, took three of the first four Australian wickets to fall and became the fifth South African to join the 300 club. Morkel dismissed Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith in his first spell, then came back to break a 78-run fourth wicket stand between Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh when Marsh flashed at a wide ball and was caught behind. Bancroft made 77 off 103 balls with 14 fours but was leg before wicket to Vernon Philander in the last .
Cape Town, Mar 23 (AFP) Scores at close of play on the second day of the third Test between South Africa and Australia at Newlands today.
Scores at close of play on the second day of the third Test between South Africa and Australia at Newlands today. South Africa first innings (overnight 266-8) D Elgar not out 141 A Markram c Smith b Hazlewood 0 H Amla c Cummins b Hazlewood 31 A de Villiers c Warner b Cummins 64 F du Plessis c Smith b Cummins 5 T Bavuma c Smith b Cummins 1 Q de Kock c Paine b Cummins 3 V Philander c Paine b M Marsh 8 K Maharaj c Bancroft b Starc 3 K Rabada c Smith b Lyon 22 M Morkel c Smith b Lyon 4 Extras (B-13, LB-11, NB-3, W-2) 29 Total (97.5 overs) 311 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-92, 3-220, 4-234, 5-236, 6-242, 7-254, 8-257, 9-307, 10-311 Bowling: Starc 21-3-81-1, Hazlewood 23-4-59-2, Lyon 19.5-6-43-2, Cummins 26-6-78-4, M Marsh 7-2-26-1, Smith 1-1-0-0 Australia first innings C Bancroft lbw b Philander 77 D Warner b Rabada 30 U Khawaja c Rabada b Morkel 5 S Smith c Elgar b Morkel 5 S Marsh c De Kock b Morkel 26 M Marsh c De Kock b Philander 5 T Paine not out 33 P Cummins c De Villiers b Rabada 4 M ...
Ibrahimovic, Los Angeles Galaxy confirm MLS move
Zlatan Ibrahimovic completed his move to Los Angeles Galaxy on Friday, aiming to conquer Major League Soccer in the final stop of his glittering career. The iconic 36-year-old striker announced his move in a typically enigmatic full-page advert in the Los Angeles Times, which read simply: "Dear Los Angeles - you're welcome." "Coming to play in the United States, it is only fitting for me to join the most successful team in Major League Soccer, the LA Galaxy," Ibrahimovic said in a statement released later by the Galaxy. "I am excited to join a club with a winning legacy that has embodied soccer in Los Angeles for over 20 years." Asked by the Los Angeles Times if he believed Los Angeles was big enough to accommodate his larger-than-life personality, he added: "If not, I'll make it bigger." The Swedish star's move to MLS had been widely reported on Thursday after Premier League giants Manchester United confirmed the player had been given permission to leave the club with immediate ...