Page 2068 - Sports
Oz Open: Wozniacki vanquishes Halep to lift first Grand Slam title
Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki produced a spirited performance as she bounced back from a set down against top-seed Simona Halep of Romania to clinch this year's Australian Open title here on Saturday.After comfortably winning the first set, the world number two went down in the second before she rebounded strongly to clinch a 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-4 win over Halep, in a thrilling summit showdown of the women's singles event that lasted for two hours and 50 minutes.The victory saw Wozniacki bag her first Grand Slam title at the 43rd attempt and, now she would replace Halep as number one in the world rankings on Monday.Wozniacki, who has twice been a runner-up at the US Open, has also become the first Danish player to win a Grand Slam singles title.
ISL: FC Goa, Mumbai City aim to close gap (Preview)
FC Goa will aim to cut down on the points gap when they host Mumbai City FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) contest at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.
Barcelona vs Valencia, Leganes vs Sevilla in Spanish Cup semis
According to the draw held fo the Spanish Cup semi-finals, three-time defending champions Barcelona will take on Valencia and Leganes will play Sevilla.
Indians hit pay dirt; hefty deals for Stokes, Starc, Rashid
Indian players dominated the bidding wars as KL Rahul and Manish Pandey laughed their way to the bank with multi-million dollar deals but England all- rounder Ben Stokes once again emerged the costliest buy in the IPL auctions, here today. Despite all the off-field controversies, Stokes was snapped up for a whopping Rs 12.5 crore (USD 1.96 million) by Rajasthan Royals after Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings also engaged in a fierce bidding war for him. The franchises were smart in their choices with most of the current India players attracting significant interest. Stylish opener Rahul and middle-order batsman Pandey bagged deals worth Rs 11 crore (USD 1.73 million) from Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively. With their prices sky-rocketing, the two players' original franchises RCB and KKR didn't use their Right To Match (RTM) cards. Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan Arman's reputation as one of the most sought after bowlers in the shortest format
FC Goa look to maintain winning momentum against Mumbai City
On a roll with successive wins, FC Goa will look to maintain their winning momentum when they take on a struggling Mumbai City in the Hero Indian Super League at the Nehru Stadium here tomorrow. With back-to-back wins against Jamshedpur and Kerala Blasters in their last two outings, FC Goa remained among the top four with 19 points from 10 matches, two matches less than leaders Bengaluru Fc who are leading the table with 24 points. Mumbai City, on the other hand, are placed sixth with 14 points from eleven matches after losing their last three matches. FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera has hinted that new recruit Mark Sefinos will be playing in tomorrow's match. "Last time we played against Mumbai City we lost mainly due to our own mistakes but now that the team is playing well and winning matches we expect to win tomorrow to remain among the top four," the coach said. "We have been playing attacking game and on doing so we all concede goal. We are working hard to keep clean ...
More Slam glory beckons for ageless Federer
Only Marin Cilic stands between Roger Federer and a 20th Grand Slam title as an injury-ravaged Australian Open staggers to its Sunday final at Melbourne Park. The 36-year-old Swiss marvel continues to defy the years and attrition rate to reach his 30th Grand Slam decider and a shot at his sixth Australian crown while his long-time rivals have fallen by the wayside. World No.1 Rafael Nadal, six-time champion Novak Djokovic and former winner Stan Wawrinka succumbed to injuries, while five-time finalist Andy Murray didn't even get to the starting line. Yet Federer is again still standing. Cilic overcame him on the way to winning the 2014 US Open final, but it is his only win in nine encounters and the Swiss defending champion has glided to the brink of another title without dropping a set. Federer is supremely confident he has it all in place to join Djokovic and Australian Roy Emerson with the most Australian titles. "It's not about having to improve anything in ...
Excited to be back with Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson
Kerala wicket keeper-batsman Sanju Samson on Saturday expressed his happiness on returning to Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals after a two-year gap.
ATK desperate to revive campaign in home leg
Struggling defending champions ATK will look to end their winless streak when they face Jamshedpur FC in an Indian Super League football fixture at the Saltlake Stadium here tomorrow. Midway into the season, the two-time champions ATK sacked Manchester United hero Teddy Sheringham in a desperate bid to resurrect their campaign but there seems no end to their misery. Having made technical director Ashley Westwood as their interim coach, ATK string of losses did not end as they succumbed to their fifth defeat in 11 matches -- a 1-2 loss against Chennaiyin FC in their last match. ATK, who were already plagued by injuries, lost another important attacking player in the form of Portuguese star Zequinha who has been ruled out for at least a month after sustaining a hamstring tear. "Zequinha has got a hamstring injury while sprinting. He has got some soft tissue damage and with the severity of it our estimate says he could be out for four to six weeks. "If he is lucky maybe ...
BCCI to reward World Cup-winning blind cricketers
India's World Cup-winning blind cricketers will be rewarded for their performance by the BCCI, Committee of Administrators (COA) chairman Vinod Rai said today. India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by two wickets in a thrilling summit clash to retain the Blind Cricket World Cup title in Sharjah last week. Accolades poured in for the team, which has now won the title twice, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating it. "They (BCCI) are going to make an announcement about a certain amount which has been set aside, within a week's time. For the encouragement of this team. And two, to develop blind cricket. It's being done," Rai on the sidelines of an Indian Chamber of Commerce programme here. "Their performance has been remarkable. Woh hamare nigrani mein aa gaye hain (They are being watched by us). It's a work in progress, I'm not able to make an official announcement now. We are working towards it." Rai said the Cricket Board will look to provide them financial ...
INS Dronacharya wins overall Kochi Area Pulling Regatta trophy
The INS Dronacharya team won the overall regatta trophy in the Kochi Area Pulling Regatta 2018 of the Southern Naval Command (SNC) held here today. INS Dronacharya won the overall regatta trophy (called The Cock) while Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) School and Diving School secured the runners up position. The regatta races were held in three different categories -- Junior Sailors, Senior Sailors and Officers -- over 1.6 km in the Ernakulam Channel, starting at Venduruthy-Vikrant Bridge and finishing at the North Jetty of the Navy. Six teams from all major Kochi based units of SNC participated in the regatta, a press release said. Vice Admiral A R Karve, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, SNC, was the Chief Guest and presented the awards to the winners and runners up. He also presented the Godavari Trophy to INS Dronacharya for being the overall winner in the Kochi Area Sports Championships. The Boat Pulling Regatta is one of the most prestigious and traditional naval ...
Saina enters Indonesia Masters final; Satwik-Chirag bow out
Star Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal stormed into the final, while the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty bowed out of the $350,000 Indonesia Masters World Tour Super 500 in the semi-final here on Saturday.
Chasing 241, S. Africa reach 69/1 at lunch on Day 4
India went wicket-less in the rain-curtailed morning session of the fourth day's play as South Africa, in pursuit of 241, reached 69 for one wicket in their second innings here on Saturday.
Won't use potable water for ground maintenance in IPL: MCA to HC
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Saturday gave an undertaking to Bombay High Court, stating it will not use potable water for watering the pitch or in other maintenance work of the Wankhede stadium, during the upcoming 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.The MCA further informed that only recycled water would be used for maintenance work during this year's IPL.The development came in the wake of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO Loksatta Movement in 2016, against hosting the IPL matches in Maharashtra due to the prevailing drought-like situation in the state at that time.A PIL was filed in the High Court stating that about 66 lakh litres of water was spent on maintaining pitches at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai and Sahara stadium in Pune during the 2013 edition of IPL.Though the 2016 matches of the T20 lucrative tournament were shifted from drought-hit Maharashtra, the PIL had also urged the court to ensure
Atwal moves up to sixth to get into reckoning in Myanmar Open
Indian golfer Arjun Atwal shot a second successive three-under 68 to lie tied sixth after the penultimate round of the USD 750,000 Leopalace21 Myanmar Open golf tournament here today. Atwal (70,68,68) moved to seven-under 206 to emerge as the best among the six Indians who made the cut at the event co-sanctioned by Asian and Japan Tours. Atwal improved from his overnight T-13 and is now only four shots behind the leader, Frenchman Lionel Weber (66). He shares the sixth place that also includes 2016 Myanmar Open champion Shaun Norris of South Africa. Among other Indians, Gaganjeet Bhullar (66) had the best Indian card of the day and he also made a big jump from overnight T-51 to T-12 with one more round to go. Bhullar is now five-under for three days. Ajeetesh Sandhu shot a third straight 70 and is now three-under 210 and T-18, up from T-34 overnight, while Jyoti Randhawa (71) is T-44 and Shiv Kapur (73) and Rashid Khan (72) are T-51. Atwal's sole bogey came on the first ...
Kapil Dev launches Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018
1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev on Saturday inaugurated the Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018, country's first adventure extravaganza.As part of the government's drive to make India an attractive destination for adventure sports, Adventure Sports Expo Asia will be held at Four Points by Sheraton in Gurgaon from January 27.The three-day event will see participation from over 60 adventure gear brands from all over world, for exhibiting their products. Speaker sessions, adventure activities and workshops will also be held under the event.Talking to ANI, Kapil Dev said, "A lot of things depend on media and tourism to promote adventure sports. Indian tourism should look into adventure sports and try to invite people. If it happens, it would be good for the new generation as they always seek for excitement. They work so hard, so if you can give them a better excitement in their life, it will be beautiful."He added that India has so much diversity from mountains to rivers and desserts
Siddikur Rahman clinches four-shot victory at Dhaka Open
Indian golfers Shankar Das and Shamim Khan carded 73 and 71 respectively in the fourth round to finish third and fifth at the inaugural edition of Dhaka Open golf tournament, a USD 60,000 event, here today. Das and Shamim finished with a four-day aggregate of nine-under 279 and six-under 282 respectively at the Kurmitola Golf Club. Playing at his home course, Bangladesh's Md Siddikur Rahman lived up to the expectations of the home crowd as he recorded a four-shot victory here. Siddikur fired a final round of two-under-70 to end the week with a total of 14-under-274. Sweden's Malcolm Kokocinski (67) finished a distant second at 10-under-278 at the event tri-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour (ADT), Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and Bangladesh Professional Golfers Association (BPGA). Siddikur (68-66-70-70), the overnight leader by two shots, put up a consistent display on the final day making four birdies and two bogeys. The 33-year-old was in no mood to ...
Elgar-Amla overcome pitch troubles to take SA to 69/1 at lunch
Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla frustrated India with an unbeaten 64-run stand, taking South Africa to 69 for one at lunch on a pitch that appears to have become less threatening in the third and final Test here. The hosts need another 172 runs to win. At the break, Amla was batting on 27 runs (61 balls, 4 fours) while Elgar was unbeaten on 29 runs (100 balls, 3 fours). This was after play was delayed due to heavy morning rains in Johannesburg. The team arrived on schedule at the Wanderers but had to wait for better conditions for play to resume. The umpires Aleem Dar and Ian Gould had two inspections at 10 am and 10.30 am (local time). After the second inspection, they were happy enough to allow play to resume 30 minutes later. Finally the game began at 11 am local time, with all three sessions rescheduled, after an hours delay. The morning session was 90 minutes long. Starting from their overnight score of 17/1, South Africa made steady progress. Jasprit Bumrah (0-20) ...
Gokulam Kerala have an uphill task against Lajong
Languishing at the bottom, Gokulam Kerala FC will have their task cut out when they face a rejuvenated Shillong Lajong FC in an I-League match at the EMS Corporation Stadium here tomorrow. After succumbing to five consecutive defeats, the Yellow outfit finally found some respite having clinched a crucial victory against Chennai City FC in their last away fixture. Bino Geroge's boys haven't gone through a merrier ride at their home until now where they've earned only a point in six outings. "Win is very important for us in next match against Lajong to increase our chances of finishing in top four," Coach Bino George said. The coach said that his team is 'confident' now, all thanks to the late inclusion of Musa. "Team is confident now. Our midfield general Musa brought some stability to the team. It was a different strategy from us against Chennai City and we got the result." Bino George showed utter respect for Lajong who humbled their North-eastern rival Neroca FC in ...
Let's just finish Jo' burg Test: ex-referee Procter
A day after dodgy pitch conditions forced officials to call off the third day of Johannesburg Test between India and South Africa, former match referee Mike Procter on Saturday admitted that it was a great call and hope that such situation doesn't happen again.South Africa opener Dean Elgar was tested by some vicious short balls from Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah on a difficult Wanderers pitch, offering dangerous bounce.The first short ball bowled by Bhuvaneshwar went on to hit him in the thumb, while Bumrah's struck him on the grill of his helmet in the ninth over of the host's second innings.This prompted umpires Ian Gould and Aleem Dar and referee Andy Pycroft to have a discussion on whether it is safe to continue to play. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis headed to the referee's room for some serious discussion over the playing conditions.The play could have resumed if both the captains would have come to a conclusion.With ten minutes of day's play remaining, it started to ...
Minerva beat Neroca 1-0, strengthen top position
Bhutanese striker Chencho Gyeltshen scored in the third minute as Minerva Punjab beat Neroca FC 1 -0 in an entertaining I-League match to strengthened their position at the top of the table here today. In the 12th round clash between the two top teams in the league table, Gyeltshen's early strike made all the difference in the fast-paced and closely contested match as the Punjab side walked away with full three points, much to the disappointment of the 17,000 strong home supporters at the Khuman Lampak Stadium. With today's win, Minerva now have 25 points from 10 matches and they are now four points clear of Neroca, who still occupy second spot with 21 points from 12 matches. Neroca thus suffered their second consecutive loss at home after their 0-2 defeat against Shillong Lajong on January 24. Before the Shillong Lajong match, Neroca were on a nine- match unbeaten run but the two back-to-back loss would dealt a body blow to their title aspirations. Just like in the ...