Page 1844 - Sports
Serena Williams crashes out of Miami Open
Twenty-three time grand slam champion Serena Williams was knocked out of the Miami Open on Thursday as she continues her return after pregnancy.Serena suffered a first round defeat from newly-minted BNP Paribas Open champion Naomi Osaka. She ousted Serena 6-3, 6-2 in a one hour, 17 minute match.Japanese No.1 Osaka handed the eight-time champion her first-ever loss before the fourth round in Miami.Also, it was only the fourth time when Serena was eliminated of any tournament in the first round.After the match, Osaka said Serena has been her childhood idol and she was feeling the nerves before her first-ever match against the former world No. 1."She's the main reason why I started playing tennis, and just, I have seen her on TV so many times and I have always been cheering for her, so for me to play against her, and just sort of trying to detach myself a little bit from thinking that I'm playing against her and just try to think I'm playing against just a regular opponent was a little ..
KCA takes in principle decision to host Ind-Windies ODI at TVM
The Kerala Cricket Association today in principle decided to host the India-West Indies one day international here on November one. A decision in this regard was taken by KCA officials after a meeting with Sports minister A C Moideen here. "We have taken an in principle decision to host the India-West Indies ODI at Thiruvananthapuram in the wake of government request," KCA Secretary Jayesh George told reporters here. "But a final decision on the matter will be taken after the KCA's general body gives an assent," he said. The government has also said it will take the initiative to construct an International cricket stadium at Kochi, he said. The KCA's initial plans to host the ODI at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi had led to opposition from various quarters. Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, who is also the co-owner of Kerala Blasters, former Indian captain and co-owner of the Kolkata-based ISL franchise Atletico de Kolkata, Sourav Ganguly, Indian football captain ...
With improved defence, Sakshi confident of CWG gold
A new defensive technique added to her repertoire, Olympic bronze-medallist Sakshi Malik is confident that she would fetch her maiden Commonwealth Games gold medal when she takes the mat in Gold Coast next month. The Rio bronze-winner has tweaked her leg defence on the insistence of her coach Kuldeep Singh Malik, something that has already got her a gold in the Commonwealth Championships in December last year. Speaking to PTI, Sakshi, however, refused to go into the details of the new technique that she has worked on. "I can't give the details of the techniques. But as I said, I'm looking for a gold medal and more confident now." In February this year, a controversial decision in the qualification bout against eventual silver-medallist Luo Xiaojuan of China cost Sakshi a place in the final of the Asian Championship in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. "Life has changed completely (post-Rio). There's more responsibility on me now -- to win more and more medals for India. I hope CWG is the ...
Broad reaches 400 milestone
Stuart Broad became just the second England bowler to reach 400 Test dismissals when he captured the wicket of Tom Latham on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand in Auckland on Thursday. In the gathering dusk in the first over after the dinner break, the 31-year-old Nottingham bowler had Latham caught at midwicket by Chris Woakes during the day-night Test The England players rushed from all corners of the field to congratulate Broad for what was one of the few bright spots of their day. England, batting first, were all out cheaply for 58 while the fall of Latham's wicket had New Zealand at 92 for two. The right-arm quick, who started his 115th Test with 399 dismissals, had a chance early in the New Zealand innings to bring up the milestone when he found the edge of Jeet Raval's bat. However, the chance was put down by skipper Joe Root at slip. The most successful England Test bowler is Broad's new-ball partner James Anderson with 523 from 134 matches.
Embarrassing 58 leaves England red-faced in pink-ball Test
An 80-run stand by Kane Williamson and Tom Latham easily guided New Zealand to a first-innings lead after England crashed to just 58 all out in a dramatic start to the first Test on Thursday. England were left red-faced in the pink-ball Test when they were skittled for their sixth lowest in Test history in just 94 minutes at Auckland's Eden Park. At dinner, New Zealand were 88 for one with Williamson on 59, his 27th Test half century, and Latham on 26. After England's batting disaster against the swing and seam bowling of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, New Zealand slowly accumulated runs against a tight but not overly threatening attack. Williamson played 11 dot balls at the start of his innings before he stroked Stuart Broad through mid-off to the boundary, and then played through 12 more scoreless deliveries before adding to his total. Latham has faced 108 balls for his 26 and survived a review when an lbw appeal was turned down. The indications from the England camp had been that ...
Pele cancels Moscow visit
Brazilian football legend Pele has cancelled a trip to Russia on medical advice.
Australia women beat India by 6 wkts in T20 tri-series opener
Australian women's cricket team comfortably beat India by six wickets in the opening encounter of the T20 Tri-series, here today. Batting first, India scored a decent 152 for 5, riding on Smriti Mandhana's 41-ball-67 but the Southern Stars cruised to the target in 18.1 overs with opener Beth Mooney contributing 45 off 32 balls. Skipper Meg Lanning with an unbeaten 35 off 25 balls and Elyse Villani (39 of 33 balls) also contributed in their team's winning cause. Brief Scores: India 152/5 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 67 off 41 balls, Anuja Patil 35 off 21 balls). Australia 156/4 in 18.1 overs (Beth Mooney 45 off 32 balls, Meg Lanning 35 off 25 balls, Elyse Villani 39 off 33 balls). Australia women win by 6 wickets.
Eyeing triumph over tragedy, Sathiyan wants gold rush at Gold Coast
Dealing with the loss of a parent dwarfs just about every other challenge in life, says India's top-ranked table tennis player G Sathiyan, who feels he is a stronger and hungrier person going into next month's Commonwealth Games after coping with the death of his father last year. The 25-year-old, who shot to fame by becoming the second Indian to win an ITTF event -- the Belgium Open in 2016, is a strong medal hope in the Gold Coast Games starting April 4. He has also won a gold in the ITTF Challenge - Spanish Open last year in the men's singles category. "I couldn't participate in Rio as I had to play one tournament but my father passed away at exactly the same time. Dealing with that has made me stronger mentally. I thought nothing can be more difficult than this," Sathiyan told PTI in an interview, recalling the trauma he went through when his father V Gnanasekaran passed away. "It helped me face challenges and top players in crucial points and games. I improved, I was more hungry
German President arrives in India
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived here on Thursday on a four-day visit to India.The Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar, informed on Twitter that Minister of State (MoS) Drinking Water and Sanitation S.S. Ahluwalia received the German President, who was accompanied by his wife Elke Büdenbender."Herzlich willkommen! Warm welcome to President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Mrs Elke Büdenbender to India. Minister of State, Drinking Water and Sanitation, S.S. Ahluwalia received the honoured guests," Kumar tweeted.Steinmeier will also visit Varanasi and Chennai. He is being accompanied by a delegation of media and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and indologists.The visit is considered significant after German Chancellor Angela Merkel was re-elected to the German Parliament for a record fourth term on Wednesday.Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Germany in May.
Elavenil wins gold in junior World Cup, bronze for Babuta
Indian shooter Elavenil Valarivan shattered the world record and claimed the gold medal in 10m women's air rifle event of the season's first junior ISSF World Cup here today. Besides her individual podium finish, Elavenil also combined with Shreya Agrawal and Zeena Khitta to claim the team gold medal. Arjun Babuta bagged his second junior world cup medal, claiming a bronze in men's 10m air rifle event. The 18-year-old Elavenil, competing in her second World Cup and first final, shot 249.8 in the women's final to claim the top individual honours. Her 631.4 in the qualification was a new world record. After a 9.6, Elavenil sealed the win with a high 10.7 in the crucial 24th shot, getting the better of Chinese Taipei's Lin Ying-Shin. Elavenil had also won a bronze medal at the FISU World Shooting Sport Championship last week. China's Wang Zeru managed to win the bronze medal with a score of 228.4 in her first World Cup appearance. India's other finalists in the event -- Shreya and Zeena .
Serena bows out in first round of Miami Open
Japan's Naomi Osaka, fresh from winning the biggest title of her career this month at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, defeated an out-of-sorts Serena Williams 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the second round of the Miami Open.
Miami Open: Puig beats Stosur, reaches second round
Puerto Rican player Monica Puig advanced to the second round of the 2018 Miami Open after defeating Australian Samantha Stosur 6-3, 6-4.
Lorenzo, Mare to fight for lead after Santosh crashes out
India's top rider C S Santosh pulled out of the Desert Storm following his crash in leg three of the cross-country rally, giving Aaron Mare and Santolino Lorenzo an opening to fight for the lead going into the remaining two days. Santosh, representing Hero MotoSports Team Rally, was leading at the end of the first two legs and looked set for his fourth title here until he met with a crash yesterday, leaving him with a neck injury. However, he still managed to finish the stage in second place fighting through pain and discomfort. The team said Santosh did not suffer a major injury and his withdrawal from the event was a precautionary step. "There was a lot of dust around and the visibility was not good. I could not spot a sand bank that suddenly appeared and I crashed quite hard. There is a sharp pain in my neck and movement is very restricted. We have decided to not risk it further so we are pulling out of the rally now. I am sorry and disappointed that I could not make it to the ...
WGC Play-Off: Shubhankar fights hard before losing to Sergio Garcia
Shubhankar Sharma pushed the reigning Masters champion Sergio Garcia to the fullest before losing by a hole in his first match at the WGCDell Technologies Match-Play Championship. Garcia almost joined the ranks with defending champion Dustin Johnson and Rory McIllroy, who lost their opening matches but managed to scrape through on the 18th hole. Austrian Bernd Wiesberger shocked Johnson 3&1 while Peter Uihlein defeated McIlroy 2&1. Other big names like Jordan Spieth (beat Charl Schwartzel), Justin Thomas (beat Luke List), Jason Day (beat James Hahn) and Ian Poulter (beat Tommy Fleetwood) won their opening matches. Shubhankar, 21, gave the reigning Masters champion a great fight and in fact led at various stages before being level at the 18th tee. And then Garcia pulled head to win the last hole and the match in his first appearance since becoming a father last month. Sharma was well received by the fans, many of them Indian, and he said, I played very well and I am very proud .
Gayle leads Windies celebrations after WC qualification
Opener Chris Gayle led the Windies' celebrations after the two-time former world champions qualified for the 2019 World Cup to be held in England and Wales.The Windies defeated Scotland by five runs by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method on Wednesday after Scotland were 125 for five in 34.2 overs, chasing 199 for victory, when rain prevented any further play.Asked if he thought he had achieved his mission of coming to Zimbabwe to help the Windies qualify for the World Cup, Gayle said, "Mission accomplished, definitely. It has been a long journey and the process we have gone through to qualify, we still have to give thanks even though it was a rain interrupted game today, but a win is a win.""I am so happy to have qualified for another World Cup., I just have to stay fit now and we have a young team, but it will be my last World Cup that is for sure, so I am looking forward to it."Gayle said he had thoroughly enjoyed the tournament and was delighted to see the passion amongst the Zimbabwe
CWG 2018: Coach dilemma hampering gymnastics preparations
Despite boasting of names that can bring India a medal from the coming Commonwealth Games, the dilly-dallying of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in naming coaches for the gymnastics team is hampering its preparations.
Indian women score 152/5 vs Australia in T20 opener
Indian women put up a competitive 152 for five against Australia in the opening encounter of the T20 tri-series, here today. Opener Smriti Mandhana continued her good form with a 41-ball-67 studded with 11 boundaries and two sixes while all-rounder Anuja Patil struck 35 off 21 balls. Spinner Ashleigh Gardner took 2 for 22 in 4 overs while seamer Ellyse Perry chipped in with 2 for 31. Brief Scores: India women 152/5 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 67 off 41 balls, Anuja Patil 35 off 21 balls, Ashligh Gardner 2/22, Ellyse Perry 2/31) vs Australia.
Wilshere cautious over England World Cup hopes
England midfielder Jack Wilshere has played down World Cup expectations but believes the Russian showpiece could be a stepping stone towards a brighter future for Gareth Southgate's inexperienced team. The Arsenal player is hoping to win his first cap in nearly two years in warm-up friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy after battling back to recover his place in Arsene Wenger's team this season. The squad Wilshere has rejoined is a far cry from the one he first broke into as a highly promising 18-year-old in 2010. Shorn of talismanic striker Harry Kane through injury, Southgate's 27-man group is desperately thin on players performing regularly at the highest level. "It's completely different. I remember the first time I walked into an England squad, I went for dinner the first time and there was (Wayne) Rooney, (Frank) Lampard, (Steven) Gerrard, (Rio) Ferdinand, (John) Terry -- big players who I had watched growing up," Wilshere said at England's training base. "It's a ...
Germany factor in revenge for Brazil friendly
Germany forward Thomas Mueller expects revenge to be a factor when his side take on Brazil for the first time since humiliating the South Americans 7-1 in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals. Joachim Loew's Germany start fine-tuning preparations for their World Cup defence in Russia with high-profile friendlies against Spain in Duesseldorf on Friday and Brazil in Berlin next Tuesday. Spain, the 2010 World Cup winners, have the first chance to break Germany's 21-match unbeaten run, dating back to their Euro 2016 semi-final defeat by France. However, the clash four days later at Berlin's Olympic Stadium offers Brazil a rare chance to beat Germany in their own backyard and avenge the hammering in Belo Horizonte almost four years ago. "Of course, you can imagine that the humiliation was great after losing a semi-final of a World Cup at home," said Mueller, who scored the first goal in that game. "Brazil is really a football-mad country and the pressure on them was huge. However, our journey ...
Messi begins road to Russia as Argentina chase World Cup glory
Lionel Messi begins his road to World Cup redemption on Friday as Argentina take on Italy in a glamour friendly, desperate to win a major international prize to crown his glorious career. In Barcelona's colours, Messi has experienced nothing but success, winning eight La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns, while earning FIFA's Ballon d'Or award five times. But pulling on Argentina's blue-and-white striped shirt has brought the forward some of the most painful moments of his career. Rarely able to hit the same heights with Argentina that he routinely scales with Barcelona, Messi has endured stinging criticism from 'Albiceleste' fans at times. Nobody would dispute Messi's status as one of the all-time greats, but many in Argentina believe he cannot be considered on the same level as Diego Maradona until he wins a major honour with his country, as his compatriot did at the 1986 World Cup. Rubbing salt into those wounds, Messi has lost in three successive major finals with ...