Page 2153 - Sports
Bopanna and Roger-Vasselin lose to world no. 1 team in Sydney
India's Rohan Bopanna and Edouard Roger-Vasselin, who joined forces for the 2018 season, fought their hearts out before losing the semifinal of the ATP Sydney International to world number one team of Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo, here today. The fourth seeded Indo-French pair gave a scare to the top-seeded Polish-Brazilian pair before losing the closely- fought semifinal 4-6 7-5 8-10 in one hour and 29 minutes. There was not much of a difference in the two teams as the winners won 70 points to the 64 of Bopanna and Roger- Vasselin. They broke each other twice in the contest. The victors will now fight it out with Germany's Jan- Lennard Struff and Romanian Viktor Troicki, who toppled second seeds Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau 7-6(5) 6-1. It was the last tournament in build up to the first Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open. Bopanna had played the season-opening Tata Open Maharashtra with Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan in Pune, losing in the quarterfinals.
Mumbai thrash Maharashtra by seven wickets
Mumbai registered a thumping seven-wicket win over arch rivals Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 West Zone League match here today. For Mumbai, medium pacer Akash Parkar starred with the bowl as he picked up three wickets to help his side bundle out Maharashtra for a meagre 89. Parkar, who returned with the impressive figures of 3-22 was superbly aided by all other bowlers - Shivam Dube (2-7), Parikshit Valsangkar (2-22), experienced Shardul Thakur (1-13) and Dhawal Kulkarni (1-20). For Maharashtra, expect opener Rahul Tripathi and one down Vijay Zol (both 21 runs in 16 balls), no other batsman was able to make a mark and steer the team out of trouble. Another opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (3) and experienced Ankit Bawne (9) too fell cheaply. The Mumbai Bowlers took wickets and never allowed the opposition batsman to set in. While chasing, skipper Aditya Tare remained unbeaten on 42 in 26 balls to romp the side home. The experienced Siddhesh Lad, who was the team's crisis
Birthday wishes pour in for 'The Wall' Rahul Dravid
Batting legend Rahul Dravid, popularly known as 'The Wall' of Indian cricket, turned 44 today and warm birthday wishes poured in from cricket fraternity.Extending their warm wishes to Dravid, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)) took to their official Twitter account and hailed the former Indian skipper for the commitment and consistency he showed towards the game."Commitment, Consistency, Class. Here's wishing a very Happy Birthday to Former #TeamIndia Skipper Rahul Dravid #HappyBirthdayDravid," the board said.The International Cricket Council (ICC) too wished the batting great a very 'Happy Birthday'."13,288 Test runs, 10,889 ODI runs, 48 international centuries, 1 legendary career..Happy Birthday Rahul Dravid!..," the world's cricket governing body tweeted."He was coach of the India side that reached the #U19CWC Final in 2016, and Rahul Dravid believes the class of 2018 can do just as well," the ICC added.Former Indian cricketer Hemang Badani also extended his warm ...
Rahul Bajaj leads after first round at Asian Tour Q-School
Rahul Bajaj fired four birdies in his last five holes to card a six-under 65 and grab a share of the lead after the first round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage here. Bajaj, who was one-under at the turn, found five birdies on the back-nine, including four in a row from the 14th to 17th hole, shares the lead with American Dino A Giacomazzi. Thailand's Atthaphon Sriboonkaew ignited his Tour card quest with a flawless five-under 66 and was tied third alongside Australian Steven Jefferess, who matched his efforts. The 2010 Asian Games team silver-medallist as an amateur, Bajaj is making his second attempt at the Qualifying School. He nailed four straight birdies in his closing five holes on a day disrupted by a lengthy suspension due to inclement weather. There are 14 Indians in the final stage of the Asian Tour Q-School. The Final Stage features 243 players from over 30 different countries and will be played over five rounds (90 holes) across two ...
Chelsea held 0-0 by Arsenal
Hosts Chelsea and Arsenal played out a 0-0 draw here in the first leg of their EFL Cup semifinal tie, leaving everything to be decided when they meet again in two weeks.
Russia apparently hacking Winter Olympics emails: Report
A month after the IOC banned Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics over doping concerns, hackers have released a set of emails related to the games set for February in South Korea.
ISL: Hume's hat-trick helps Kerala Blasters beat Delhi Dynamos
Forward Iain Hume struck a hat-trick to guide Kerala Blasters FC to a thrilling 3-1 victory over Delhi Dynamos in their Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here in the national capital last evening.The win, only their second in nine matches, takes Kerala two spots up to sixth position on the ISL points table. For Delhi Dynamos, it was another night to forget at their home ground as they continued to languish at the bottom of the table.Hume struck first in the first session to give his team the lead, only for Pritam Kotal to equalise just before half time. In the second session, Hume struck form as he completed his hat-trick with goals in the 78th and 83rd minute.David James, who took over as the head coach of Kerala after Rene Meulensteen parted ways with club, saw his side open the scoring early in the game, thanks to a neat finish from Hume. In the 12th minute of the game, after some good work by Courage Pekuson down the left where he got past Pritam ...
Cameron White returns to Australia ODI team for England
Cricket Australia said Thursday that veteran batsman Cameron White will replace the injured Chris Lynn in Australia's one-day international team for a five-match series against England. The 34-year-old White has not represented Australia in any format since 2015. The right-hander has been in strong Twenty20 form with 285 runs at an average of 142.5 and a strike-rate of 115.85 for the Melbourne Renegades in the current Big Bash League. While he plays predominantly as an opener domestically, White is expected to fill the vacant No.4 position in the batting order. Lynn has a calf injury. Australia plays England on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to open the series.
Zidane pens new Real Madrid deal until 2020
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane on Wednesday confirmed that he has signed a contract extension which will keep him at the European champions until 2020. "It's signed," said the French star after his side drew 2-2 with Numancia to progress to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey 5-2 on aggregate. After a dream start at Real, with eight trophies out of a possible 10, Zidane has endured a tough season with his side 16 points behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race. And the 45-year-old cautioned: "I'm enjoying what I do every day, because that's the way it is. I can't imagine myself as a coach in two, three years, because things are not like that. I know how it goes, nothing more, even with this contract it does not change anything." On Wednesday, Real fielded an almost unrecognisable team and struggled into the Copa del Rey last-eight. Zidane could afford to rest his superstars with one eye on La Liga and the Champions League last 16 with a clash against Paris ...
Neymar strikes as PSG reach League Cup semis
Neymar scored a second-half penalty as four-time defending champions Paris Saint-Germain toiled before overcoming 10-man Amiens 2-0 to reach the semi-finals of the French League Cup on Wednesday. PSG were again without leading scorer Edinson Cavani, who also missed Sunday's French Cup rout of Rennes after returning late from his Christmas and New Year break in Uruguay. Amiens' hopes of springing an upset were heavily undermined by the dismissal of goalkeeper Regis Gurtner on 34 minutes for a foul on Kylian Mbappe after charging out of his area. And Neymar eventually made the visitors' numerical advantage count by winning and converting a spot-kick eight minutes into the second half at the Stade de la Licorne. Mbappe, earlier denied by a fingertip save from Jean- Christophe Bouet, was then thwarted by a combination of the substitute keeper and the crossbar before firing another effort narrowly wide. Marquinhos also struck the woodwork after connecting with a cross from ...
Stokes, Livingstone in England cricket squad for NZ Tests
Allrounder Ben Stokes was included in England's 16-man cricket squad for their Test tour of New Zealand Thursday, while Lancashire batsman Liam Livingstone got his first call up. Seamer Mark Wood returns after struggling with injury, and Ashes underperformers Mooen Ali, James Vince and Mark Stoneman were all retained. But Gary Ballance, Jake Ball and Tom Curran, who were all part of the Australia Test squad, miss out. England play two Tests in New Zealand starting in Auckland on March 22 after being thrashed 4-0 by Australia in the Ashes series that ended in Sydney this week. In the chastening campaign, Australia record four comprehensive wins -- including two innings victories and a 10-wicket triumph. Stokes missed the entire series in Australia after being banned from international duties while police investigate his alleged role in a fight outside a nightclub in Bristol three months ago. He kept his hand in by playing for Canterbury, his New Zealand birth province, ...
Second string Real struggle into Copa del Rey quarter-finals
Real Madrid fielded an almost unrecognisable team and struggled into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Wednesday after a 2-2 draw against second division Numancia. Already 3-0 ahead from the first leg, coach Zinedine Zidane could afford to rest his superstars with one eye on La Liga, where they are 16 points behind Barcelona, and the Champions League last 16 with a clash against Paris Saint- Germain next month. However, they were far from convincing at the Bernabeu. Lucas Vazquez scored both of Real's goals on Wednesday after the 11th and 59th minutes. But on both occasions, their modest visitors fought back thanks to a brace from Guillermo on the stroke of half-time and then after 82 minutes. Numancia ended the game with 10 men after captain Dani Calvo was red-carded in the dying moments. Leganes, a modest club from the Madrid suburbs, reached the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey for the first time in their 89-year existence. Despite losing 2-1 at Villarreal, who are
Wenger welcomes VAR despite penalty issue
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the introduction of a Video Assistant Referee system in English football is a welcome move after the technology was used in his side's League Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Wednesday. Wenger's side faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the second match in England to have access to the VAR technology. It was in effect on Monday for the first time in an English club match, when Brighton beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round, but it wasn't called on then. On Wednesday, referee Martin Atkinson consulted with video ref Neil Swarbrick, who sat in the Premier League's control room in west London, on two penalty appeals -- one for each team -- but no decisions were overturned. "There was only two opportunities for them to intervene. The second was a bit strange, the ball went out for the corner and then they went back to the penalty," Wenger said. "If the referee is not sure we could stop the game straight away." Arsenal striker ...
Chelsea frustrated by Arsenal stalemate
Chelsea wasted a chance to take control of their League Cup semi-final against Arsenal as the misfiring Blues were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw in Wednesday's first leg. Antonio Conte's side dominated possession for long periods at Stamford Bridge -- where the Video Assistant Referee system (VAR) was in operation -- but lacked the killer instinct required to take a step towards the final. They had 21 shots to just eight from Arsenal, yet the tie remains on a knife-edge heading into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on January 24. "We are not so clinical despite creating chances. If you want to win you have to score," Conte said. "We didn't concede a goal, but we know we play away at Arsenal and we must be ready to fight if we are to play the final." While it was a frustrating evening for Chelsea as they chase a first League Cup final berth since 2015, the stalemate was a welcome tonic for their London rivals. Arsenal, who also drew both Premier League encounters .
Bolt's pal Bailey out to dazzle Bayern
Bayer Leverkusen forward Leon Bailey plans to prove against Bayern Munich on Friday that the Jamaican winger is even quicker with the ball at his feet than close friend Usain Bolt as the Bundesliga returns from its winter break this weekend. Fourth-placed Leverkusen reopen proceedings on Friday with a mouth-watering clash at home to run-away league leaders Bayern, who have an 11-point lead over nearest rival Schalke. Pacy Kingston-born winger Bailey is friends with Jamaica sprint legend Bolt, who last weekend revealed that he wants to launch his football career with a trial at Borussia Dortmund in March. Bolt, 31, bowed out of athletics last year as the 100m and 200m world record holder over 100m and 200m, but Bailey jokes that he is faster of the pair on the pitch. "I've been friends with Usain for four years now, we play football and hang out sometimes, he's a good person," 20- year-old Bailey told Bundesliga.com after posting a picture of himself alongside Bolt last ..
'World-class' Perth Stadium gets ICC green light
The International Cricket Council Thursday approved the new Perth Stadium to host all international formats of all the game, formally lowering the curtain on the city's venerable WACA Ground. The new 60,000-capacity stadium will host a sold-out one-day international against England on January 28 in the first sporting event held at the state-of-the-art arena. ICC match referee Richie Richardson submitted a gushing report after inspecting the venue. "This is by far the most impressive and well laid-out stadium I have ever visited," he said. "The comprehensive amenities, along with the quality and functionality of the facility, surpasses the required standard to host any international cricket match." The West Indies great added that it was "a wonderful, refreshing, world-class stadium, and I have no hesitation in recommending that the venue is approved for staging all three formats of international cricket". The WACA, a Test venue since 1970, was once touted as the world's ..
Wenger backs unsettled Sanchez
Arsene Wenger insists Alexis Sanchez remains committed to Arsenal even though the Gunners boss left out his unsettled star for the League Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea. Wenger opted to keep Sanchez on the bench until the last 25 minutes of Wednesday's 0-0 first leg draw at Stamford Bridge. It was a bold gamble by Wenger given the League Cup represents one of the few chances for Arsenal to win silverware in another frustrating season. Some Arsenal fans and pundits say Sanchez no longer gives 100 percent because his contract expires at the end of the season and he has so far refused to sign a new deal amid reports he is a divisive figure in the dressing room. Although Premier League leaders Manchester City are keen to sign Sanchez after their move for the Chile forward fell through in August, Wenger claimed he is still completely focused on the Arsenal cause despite a series of lacklustre performances. "The performance of Alexis Sanchez and the commitment does not ...
25 nations to participate in India Open Boxing
More than 25 countries will be participating in the India Open Boxing Championship, said Ajay Singh, President, Boxing Federation of India (BFI) of India on Wednesday."India Open is happening for the first time and it will see participation from more than 25 countries. Al the boxing nations of the world are going to be in this championship. Like Cuba, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia," Singh told ANI.He said the $100,000 India Open will be starting on January 28 at Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi."India will field four teams in this championship. So, a lot of our boxers will get international experience," the BFI president said.When asked about the concept behind Indian Open Tournament, Singh said, "We believe that it is important that India host championships of international calibre every year as that gives a great experience to our boxers, officials and organisers. India must build its organisational ability as well as bring up the sport in the country. We are trying to have ...
Badminton: Delhi Dashers beat North Eastern Warriors
Delhi Dashers threw their hats into the semi-final ring of the third Vodafone Premier Badminton League by upstaging North Eastern Warriors in the first match of the Hyderabad-leg at the Gachibowli Stadium here on Wednesday.Delhi won three matches, including the Trump tie, to garner four points and swell their points tally to 15 that saw them rise to the third spot. The Warriors, despite winning two matches, could add only one point to their kitty and finished the league with 12 points.Tian Houwei led the Delhi charge by staging a brilliant recovery in his men's singles duel against Tzu Wei Wang before winning 10-15, 15-8, 11-15. The Chinese, ranked 22 in the world, was down 2-8 in the final game but bounced back to clinch it 15-11 and upset the World No11.Wang's defeat was a big blow for the Warriors as it was their Trump match which meant they ended up with a negative point.Interestingly, it was their first Trump loss of the season, having won all four earlier.Sung Ji Hyun extended ..
Delhi beat NE Warriors in PBL
Delhi Dashers jumped to the third spot of the Vodafone Premier Badminton League (PBL) as they defeated North Eastern Warriors 4-1 at the Gachibowli Stadium here on Wednesday.