Page 2105 - Sports
Federer keeps hunt for Slam number 20 on track
Defending champion Roger Federer continued his dominance over Richard Gasquet to reach the round of 16 at the Australian Open today and keep his quest for a 20th Grand Slam title on track. The Swiss star beat the Frenchman 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 in just under two hours in a night match on Rod Laver Arena. Federer has unheralded Hungarian and one-time training partner Marton Fucsovics up next and a potential quarter-final with Tomas Berdych, who upset Juan Martin Del Porto in straight sets earlier Saturday. Federer, rated the favourite to win his 20th major even at the venerable age of 36, progressed to the fourth round at the Australian Open for the 16th time. The Swiss has only lost twice to the stylish Frenchman in their 19 meetings, winning all their four Grand Slam encounters. Significantly, Gasquet hasn't won a set against Federer since 2011, a run of 22 sets to the Swiss. "I was able to stay more on the offensive than he was and maybe I was protecting my own serve better ...
Djokovic downplays injury as he powers on
Novak Djokovic sought a medical timeout for a lower back injury as he claimed his 11th round of 16 appearance at the Australian Open today. The six-time champion advanced with a clear-cut 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 win over Spanish 21st seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas in 2hr 21min on Margaret Court Arena. But there was concern in his camp when the former world No.1 sought a medical timeout early in the second set for treatment to his lower back. Djokovic later played down the extent of the problem, saying "it's okay, nothing major". The Serb, looking for matches after a six-month lay-off with right elbow trouble, will face South Korea's Chung Hyeon in Sunday's fourth round after he shocked fourth seed Alexander Zverev. The injury was a fresh worry for the 12-time Grand Slam champion, whose ranking has slipped to 14 after an inactive second half of 2017. "It's okay. Nothing major. I knew I wanted to use the medical timeout because I needed it," he said. "But at the same time I knew it was ...
I-League: Neroca ride on Turkovic's heroics to pip Aizawl
In a game with an abundance of chances for both sides, Neroca FC on Saturday triumphed over the reigning champions Aizawl FC at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium to leapfrog East Bengal in the I-league points table.
Morocco, Cote d'Ivoire to boost sport cooperation
Rabat, Jan 20 (IANS/MAP) Morocco and Cote d'Ivoire have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of sports through a series of activities and programmes.
Aggressive Kerber snuffs out Sharapova's Aussie quest
Angelique Kerber roared out of the blocks and ruthlessly crushed Maria Sharapova in a battle of former champions at the Australian Open today. The 2016 winner sped into a 4-1 first set lead with a display of effervescent hitting in their hotly-anticipated third-round encounter. Sharapova, the Melbourne Park champion here 10 years ago, was sent packing in just 64 minutes as a resurgent 21st seed dismantled her 6-1, 6-3. "I was just trying to enjoy every point," said Kerber after ending unseeded Sharapova's run in only her second Grand Slam tournament back since serving a 15-month doping ban. The mouth-watering match-up of the only the two Australian Open winners -- and Grand Slam champions -- left in the women's draw got top billing on Rod Laver Arena but was turned into a tennis exhibition by Kerber. "I have so many good memories on this court," said Kerber, who won her first Grand Slam title there two years ago when she beat Serena Williams in the final. "I knew before ..
Jamshedpur seek winning momentum against resurgent Delhi
High on confidence after their impressive victory over Kerala Blasters at home in their last match, Jamshedpur FC would look to build a winning momentum when they take on Delhi Dynamos in an Indian Super League fixture here tomorrow. Having notched up 13 points from 10 games, Steve Coppell's side are currently in seventh position and have a chance to go within touching distance of the top four places if they beat Delhi Dynamos at JRD Tata Sports Complex tomorrow. But it will not be an easy game against a resurgent Delhi side, who have upset table toppers Bengaluru FC in their previous match. "In football they say you are only good as your last game, and they beat Bengaluru FC. They like to go forward and that has sometimes left them vulnerable at the back. But I'm a big admirer of the way they play. So it's a big challenge to stop them and hit them on the counter," Coppell told reporters at the pre-match press conference. Coppell hinted his team will try to play a ...
IOC meets on N Korea participation in Winter Games
An International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting was conducted over North Korea's participation in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, slated to be held next month.IOC President Thomas Bach is chairing the four-party meeting at the IOC headquarters here. Representatives from the Pyeongchang Olympic Organising Committee and national Olympic bodies of the two Koreas are present.IOC members from South Korea, Ryu Seung-min and Chang Ung from North Korea are also at the meeting.The IOC will also finalise the details of North Korea's participation in the Winter Games, such as uniform, anthem, flag and the delegation size.The last time, the two Koreas marched together was the 2007 Asian Winter Games in Changchun, China.North Korea has never participated in an Olympic Games in South Korea. Seoul, which hosted the Summer Olympics in 1988 was boycotted by North Korea.Also, the two countries have never had a unified team in any sport at the Olympics before.However, the two Koreas competed at the ...
ISL: Resurgent Delhi test for Jamshedpur FC (Preview)
Jamshedpur FC have a chance to go within touching distance of the top four places of the Indian Super League (ISL) when they square up against bottom-placed Delhi Dynamos at JRD Tata Sports Complex here on Sunday.
East Bengal start favourites against beleaguered Mohun Bagan
East Bengal will look to avenge their last month's defeat when they face a beleaguered Mohun Bagan in the return leg I-League derby football fixture here tomorrow. Former champions Mohun Bagan, who had begun their campaign on a high with a win over East Bengal in the first leg derby, have problems aplenty with the latest being their injured forward Sony Norde all set to be released on January 22.
Injured Malik returns home after being ruled out of T20 series
Pakistan's experienced allrounder, Shoaib Malik is returning home from New Zealand after suffering a freak head injury during the third one-day international. The former Pakistan captain will miss the three match T20 series starting from Monday. Hit on the head by a wayward throw from New Zealand's Colin Munro while taking a run in the match, Malik also couldn't play the last two of the five-match ODI series which Pakistan lost five nil. The Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement that the Pakistan team management including the captain, head coach, manager had held a meeting with team physiotherapist, Via Singh and Malik to discuss his participation in the T20 series. "The committee reviewed the expert advice it received from the top medical consultants in New Zealand after conducting all necessary tests of Malik has decided, after briefing the PCB to send him back from New Zealand," the statement said. "The committee is of the opinion that it should give him chance
India faces Bangladesh in quarterfinals of U-19 World Cup
India will face Bangladesh in the ICC U-19 World Cup quarterfinals after the neighbouring nation qualified for the Super League following England's massive 282-run win over Canada in a Group C match today. While three-time champions India had qualified for the knockout stage after hammering Papua New Guinea by 10-wickets, Bangladesh's qualification from Group C depended on the result of the match between England and Canada. England, champions in 1998, were virtually assured of topping the group before this match owing to their high net run-rate but they did not show any complacency against Canada, notching a huge 383-7 after being invited to bat first. Centuries from Liam Banks (120, 114b, 12x4, 1x6) and Will Jacks (102, 82b, 11x4), who added 186 runs for the second wicket in just over 30 overs, put them in a position of strength. Left-hander Jack Davies also chipped in with a brisk 36- ball 57 while medium-fast bowler Faisal Jamkhandi and off- spinner Tiaan Pretorius ...
Practise games in SA will help build confidence: Harmanpreet
India batswoman Harmanpreet Kaur believes the two practise games which the team would be playing in South Africa will help them gain confidence ahead of the ODI and T20 series against the Proteas. The Indian's women team will tour South Africa for a three-match ODI series, which starts at Kimberly on February 5, followed by a five-match T20 series, which begins on February 13 at Potchefstroom. "Going early will help us get used to the wickets there. We are getting two practice games and it will help build confidence before the main matches. "The teams looks good and hopefully we will do well," the 28-year-old Moga-born cricketer told reporters here. The right-handed batswoman was part of the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia and she said the practice which she did in Australia will help her in South Africa. "Yes, the Big Bash was good, though this time I did not get enough chance, but side by side good practise was going on. The wickets there and the practice there will .
Federer enters Australian Open pre quarters
Defending Champion Roger Federer entered the last 16 of the Australian Open with a straight sets victory over Richard Gasquet on Saturday.Nineteen-time Grand Slam winner Federer thrashed Gasquet 6-2, 7-5, 6-4, in an hour and 59 min long match.He will next meet Hungarian world number 89 Marton Fucsovics on Monday.
Coleman breaks world indoor 60m record with 6.37 seconds
World 100-metre silver medallist Christian Coleman broke the 60 metres indoor world record at the Clemson Invitational track meet.
Kyrgios needs a coach, says Andre Agassi
Former Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi has urged Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios to find a coach for himself if he wants to fulfil his unquestionable potential.The 22-year-old has performed with great maturity so far in the Australian Open while he has also drawn praise from all the corners for his on-court transformation.However, Agassi believes that Kyrgios could only push himself so far without help, but he needs to find a coach if he wants to shine in the long run."I'm a big believer in life, and what I've learned is that learning in 10 minutes would take someone (by themselves) 10 years is a very effective way to maximize the short window that you get in this sport", the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Agassi as saying.The tennis great further emphasized that having no coach is much better than having the wrong coach."To go it alone and not get access to things tried and lessons learned is an unforced error. But having no coach is better than having the wrong coach", he ...
Real Madrid and Barcelona in Sunday action in Spain
Both Spanish football giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are in La Liga action on Sunday afternoon with both sides having different aims.
Agassi urges Kyrgios to get a coach
Tennis great Andre Agassi has urged fiery Australian Nick Kyrgios to get a coach to fulfil his unquestionable potential, believing there will be a queue of people keen to help him out. The 22-year-old is showing greater maturity at the Australian Open after frequent criticism in the past for his on-court blow-ups. But the American, who is coaching 12-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, told the Melbourne Age newspaper he believes Kyrgios can only take himself so far without help. "I'm a big believer in life, and what I've learned is that learning (something that) in 10 minutes would take someone (by themselves) 10 years is a very effective way to maximize the short window that you get in this sport," he said. "To go it alone and not get access to things tried and lessons learned is an unforced error. But having no coach is better than having the wrong coach." Kyrgios, seeded 17, indicated earlier this month he has no plans to hire a coach for the 2018 season. So far
Sharapova inspired by Serena to get back to top
Maria Sharapova says she is inspired by the likes of thirtysomethings Serena Williams and Roger Federer to get back to the top after her doping ban. The Russian, back in the top 50 after 15 months on the sidelines, had her progress at the Australian Open ruthlessly snuffed out by 2016 champion Angelique Kerber in the third round Saturday. "I'm here because I'm motivated to get better at my craft. I really do believe that I can otherwise I wouldn't be here," said the five-time Grand Slam champion after losing 6- 1, 6-3 in 64 minutes. "I definitely take great examples of a Federer or a Nadal or a Serena and Venus that have continued to have the motivation that they do at this age," said Sharapova who turns 31 in April. "It's not just walking through a Grand Slam tunnel and getting on court. "There's so much more to it. I have a lot of admiration for that because I know what goes into creating those moments and getting to that stage. "Yeah, that definitely inspires me, ...
Djokovic sails into Australian Open pre quarters, Sharapova out
Twelve-time Grand Slam Champion Novak Djokovic advanced into the pre-quarters of the Australian Open despite an injury scare here on Saturday.Djokovic, who is playing after a six-month injury lay off, defeated Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas in straight sets 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.The six-time Australian Open winner received a medical treatment in the second set for an injury but came back strong to close out the match in two hours, 23 minutes.Djokovic will next face South Korean Hyeon Chung in the round of 16.Meanwhile, Maria Sharapova's hopes of a title-winning return to the Australian Open were crushed by Angelique Kerber 1-6, 3-6.
ICC U-19 World Cup: England score huge win over Canada
Liam Banks and Will Jacks slammed fine centuries as England completed a massive 282-run victory over Canada in a Group C match at the ICC U-19 World Cup clash here on Saturday.England completed the league with three wins to top the group while Bangladesh qualified as the second team after their wins over Canada and Namibia, who will figure in the Plate championship which gets underway on Monday.The result saw Bangladesh qualify for the Super League at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup.England, champions in 1998, were virtually assured of topping the group before this match owing to their high net run-rate but did not show any complacency against Canada, notching a huge 383 for seven after being invited to bat first.Centuries from Liam Banks (120, 114b, 12x4, 1x6) and Will Jacks (102, 82b, 11x4), who added 186 runs for the second wicket in just over 30 overs, put them in a position of strength. Left-hander Jack Davies also chipped in with a brisk 36-ball 57 while medium-fast bowler Faisal .