Page 2073 - Sports
Rahane, Bhuvneshwar extend India's lead on tough wicket
Ajinkya Rahane and Bhuvneshwar Kumar put on unbeaten 51 runs for the seventh wicket to push India's lead close to 200 on an increasingly dificult pitch at tea on the third day of the third cricket Test against South Africa, here today. Returning to the side after being dropped from the first two Tests, Rahane (46 not out) timed the knock to perfection as he played with gumption to take India to 199 for six at tea. Rahane and Bhuvneshwar added crucial unbeaten 51 runs for to extend India's lead to 192 runs on a Wanderers track that is becoming increasingly dificult to bat with every passing hour. Rahane scored his runs at a quick rate of just 57 balls, with the help of six fours, while Bhuvneshwar was unbeaten on 23 not out of 47 balls. In the second session, Rahane and Virat Kohli (41 runs off 79 balls) put on 34 runs for the fifth wicket. The duo was fluent and played attacking shots even as the pitch continued to deteriorate. Kohli looked a class apart on a tough ...
Paes-Cerretani in semis of Newport Beach Challenger
Veteran Leander Paes and his American partner James Cerretani did not have to move a sinew in reaching the semifinals of the Newport Beach Challenger even as Vishnu Vardhan and N Sriram Babalji were ousted from the Rennes event in France. Paes and Cerretani, seeded second, advanced in the USD 150,000 event after receiving a walkover from the local pair of Frances Tiafoe and Michael Mmoh, who encountered a shoulder problem. They are now up against Marcelo Arevalo and Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela, who knocked out Aliaksandr Bury and Hsien-Yin Peng 7-5 7-5 in their quarterfinal. Meanwhile at the Euro 64,000 USA tournament in France, unseeded Vardhan and Balaji suffered a close 4-6 4-6 semifinal defeat at the hands of second seeded Sander Arends and Antonio Sancic.
Lahiri starts with one-under 71 at Farmers Insurance Open
Anirban Lahiri brought home a card of one-under 71 to lie Tied 63rd after the opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament on the North Course at Torrey Pines here today. The Indian got off to a great start with three birdies against one bogey in the first four holes but he was unable to maintain the momentum and finally ended the day at 71 to lie six shots behind leader, Tony Finau (65). The day's proceedings were, however, all centered around the return of Tiger Woods, who brought back the crowds and got them roaring. Making his return for the first time since the Hero World Challenge, where he was ninth in a field of 18, Woods made a few mistakes but also displayed vintage shot making on his way to an even par 72. Commenting on round, Woods said, "It was fun to compete again. It was fun to be out there." Defending champion Jon Rahm opened with a 68 on the South. He hit into the water with his second shot on the par-5 18th, but he saved par with a ...
Rahane helps India take 192 run lead at tea
Batsman Ajinkya Rahane took charge of the second innings after India lost two wickets in the second session to reach 199/6 at tea against South Africa in the third and final Test at the New Wanderers Stadium here on Friday.
Rahane's 46 extends India's lead to 192 in 3rd Test
India were 199 for six in their second innings, leading South Africa by 192 runs, at tea on the third day of the third and final cricket Test here today. Ajinkya Rahane was unbeaten on 46, which could turn out to be a match-winning knock under difficult batting conditions. Giving him company at the break was Bhuvneshwar Kumar at 23 as they have added 51 runs for the seventh wicket. India are trailing the three-match series 0-2. Brief Scores: India: 187 and 199 for 6 in 65 overs. (A Rahane 46 battingt, Virat Kohli 41; Kagiso Rabada 3/59, V Philander 2/44) South Africa 1st innings: 194 all out.
Indonesia Masters: Saina defeats Sindhu to reach semis
Rio Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal advanced into the semi-finals of the Indonesia Masters after registering a straight game victory over P.V. Sindhu in an all-Indian quarter-final on Friday.Nehwal defeated second-seeded Sindhu 21-13, 21-19 in a match that lasted for 37 minutes.It was the third international face-off between the two Indian ace shuttlers.Former world No. 1 Nehwal will next face fourth seeded Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand against whom she has an 8-5 head-to-head record.
All-round Australia avoid whitewash in 4th ODI against England
Australia put up an all-round show to avoid a whitewash and defeat England by three wickets in the fourth One-Day International (ODI) at the Adelaide Oval here on Friday.
Federer hails Chung as future top 10 player
Roger Federer hailed Chung Hyeon as a future top 10 player Friday after the South Korean's Australian Open came to a painful end at the hands of the Swiss maestro. The defending champion was leading 6-1, 5-2 and in full control when Chung retired with foot blisters, bringing the curtain down on a breakout tournament in which he announced himself as a future star in the making. The 21-year-old sent 12-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic packing in the quarter-finals, although the Serb was carrying an injury and not at his best. But he also accounted for fourth seed Alexander Zverev in his best Grand Slam showing so far. In 20 years at the top, Federer has seen plenty of players come and go and only had praise for the youngster. "I think he is already a great player, but we are talking next level excellence and I think he will achieve that," said Federer, who is into his 30th Grand Slam final as he chases a 20th major title. "We will see much more of him. Top 10 for ...
Neroca seek to bounce back against Minerva in clash of toppers
A nine-match unbeaten run snapped by Shillong Lajong in their previous match, Neroca FC would look to bounce back with a win and jump to the top spot when they take on Minerva Punjab in a 12th round clash of table toppers in the I-League, here tomorrow. Neroca suffered a reversal of fortune after a dream run as they were handed a 0-2 defeat by Shillong Lajong on January 24 in front of 15,000 crowd at the Khuman Lampak Stadium and they will need to take three points tomorrow against Minerva Punjab in the crucial match to keep their title aspirations alive. The home side, who are on 21 points from 11 matches, would also look to avenge their 1-2 defeat to Minerva on December 1 in their campaign opener. Minerva, on the other hand, would look to strengthen their top position with a win tomorrow. They now have 22 points from nine matches. Neroca will have to do without the services of their first choice goalkeeper and captain Lalit Thapa who is yet to fully recover from an ...
Geremew, Dereje break Dubai marathon records
Ethiopians Mosinet Geremew and Roza Dereje broke the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon records on their way to claim top places here on Friday.
IPL Auction: Yuvi under pressure after poor Mushtaq T20 outing
He was the toast of the nation when India won the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 but Yuvraj Singh is unlikely to evoke much interest among the franchises in the IPL auction tomorrow. The left-hander has enjoyed phenomenal success in the shorter formats in the past but his awful current form has not gone unnoticed by the team owners. With his India career as good as over, most of the franchises are unlikely to indulge in a bidding war for the two-time World Cup winner due to his high marquee base price of Rs two crore. He had a horrible Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, where he aggregated 208 runs off 216 deliveries at a dismal strike- rate of less than 100 (96 plus). Yuvraj's sequence of scores in Mushtaq Ali Trophy is 50 not out (40 balls), 35 not out (35 balls), 8 (16 balls), 4 (8 balls), 21 (14 balls), 29 (25 balls), 40 (34 balls), 17 (33 balls) and 4 (11 balls). The troublesome part is that he batted in the top four on most days and never looked like in control
Federer reaches Australian Open final
Defending champion Roger Federer on Friday reached the final of the Australian Open after South Korea's Hyeon Chung quit in pain trailing 1-6, 2-5.
Shankar Das fires 67 to move within two shots of the lead
Indian golfer Shankar Das produced the day's joint best score of five-under 67 to move within two shots of the lead at 10-under-206 after the third round of the Dhaka Open here today. Bangladesh's Md Siddikur Rahman, the pre-tournament favourite, came up with a steady two-under-70 to maintain his lead going into the final round. Siddikur was ahead by two as his three-day total read 12-under-204. Shankar (71-68-67), who was overnight joint second, emerged as the most serious challenger to Siddikur on day three. Shankar, who kept landing it close to the pins through the day, made six birdies and a bogey, all on the front-nine. He then didn't give anything away on the back-nine, making pars on all the holes. Das said, "I struck my 3-wood really well today and hardly missed anything on the greens. It'll not be easy to dislodge Siddikur on his home turf, but I'll have to make a good start in the final round if I have to exert any pressure on him." India's Shamim Khan (70), ..
Federer into 7th Aussie final as Chung retires
Defending champion Roger Federer eased into his seventh Australian Open final in a bitter-sweet win after South Korean young gun Chung Hyeon retired injured in their last four showdown Friday. The Swiss great was leading 6-1, 5-2 when Chung called it quits with foot blisters, and he will now face Marin Cilic in his 30th Grand Slam final on Sunday. Chung, the first South Korean man or woman to play in a semi-final at one of the four majors, was treated in a medical timeout for the left foot problem just two games earlier. But it came as a big surprise when the 21-year-old walked to the net at 30-30 and trailing 2-5 after 62 minutes in the second set to throw in the towel. It pitched Federer into his seventh Australian final as he chases his sixth Melbourne title and a record 20th Grand Slam victory. He leads 2014 US Open champion Cilic 8-1 in their meetings. "This feels bitter-sweet. Obviously I'm incredibly happy to be in the finals, but not like this," Federer said of ...
Bopanna-Babos enter Australian Open mixed doubles finals
India's Rohan Bopanna and his Hungarian partner Timea Babos advanced into the Australian Open mixed doubles finals after claiming victory over the Spanish-Brazilian team of Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Marcelo Demoliner.Bopanna and Babos won the nail-bitting match 7-5, 5-7, 10-6.The 5th seeded pair will now face Gabriela Dabrwoski of Canada and Mate Pavic of Croatia.Earlier, Babos and her partner Kristina Mladenovic were crowned women's doubles champions.
Bopanna get close to 2nd Grand Slam title
India's Rohan Bopanna inched closer towards his second Grand Slam title by reaching the mixed doubles final of the Australian Open along with Hungarian partner Timea Babos, here today. Bopanna served well while Babos stood out with her fierce returns in their 7-5 5-7 10-6 win over Brazilian Marcelo Demoliner and Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in the semifinal. Bopanna had won his maiden Grand Slam crown at the 2017 French Open, where he won with Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski. Interestingly, Dabrowski will now be on the other side of the net when Bopanna will strive to win his maiden title at the Rod Laver Arena. For Babos, a mixed doubles title will mean a double delight as she has already won the women's doubles title. Dabrowski has reached the final with Croatian Mate Pavic after beating Bruno Soares and Ekaterina Makarova 6-1 6-4 in the other semifinal. Bopanna is only fourth Indian to lay hands on a Major trophy after Mahesh Bhupathi, Leander Paes and Sania ...
Tihar Jail inmates to play football match with families
The Tihar Jail administration will organise a unique football match between the inmates and their families which will be held on Sunday at the playground of Central Jail No.1 here.
India reach 100/4 at lunch on Day 3 of Jo'burg Test
India were 100 for the loss of four wickets, leading South Africa by 93 runs, at lunch on Day Three of the third and final Test being played at the New Wanderers Stadium here on Friday.India resumed batting on 49 for 1 with KL Rahul and Murali Vijay on 16 and 13 respectively.Rahul was dismissed by Vernon Philander with no addition to his score.Cheteshwar Pujara scored just one.Murali Vijay added 12 to his score before losing his wicket on the stroke of lunch as skipper Virat Kohli was batting on 27..
India reach 100/4 at lunch on Day 3
India reached 100 for four in their second innings at lunch on the third day of the third and final cricket Test against South Africa at the New Wanderers Stadium here on Friday.
Vijay, Kohli extend India's lead on a treacheous track
Opener Murali Vijay and skipper Virat Kohli showed lot of grit on a treacherous track as India reached 100 for 4 against South Africa at lunch on the third day, thereby extending their overall lead to 93. Vijay was out at the stroke of lunch when Kagiso Rabada's yorker cleaned him up after he showed a lot of patience scoring 25 off 127 balls during his three hour and 14 minutes vigil at the crease. Kohli as usual showed his class with some crisp on drives as he reached 27 off 49 balls at the break having added 43 runs for the fourth wicket after KL Rahul (16) and Cheteshwar Pujara (1) were dismissed early in the morning. However the talk of the morning was about the uneven bounce of the Wanderers track with some of the cracks on good length and short of it opening up. With deliveries rearing up and keeping low from the same spot from the Corlett Drive End, it became difficult for the batsmen with on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Ian Gould inspecting a few spots on the ...