Page 2162 - Sports
Nadal beaten in Melbourne but injured knee 'fine'
World number one Rafael Nadal lost his first match of the year 6-4, 7-5 to Richard Gasquet at the Kooyong Classic today, but said he was happy after his troublesome knee held up "fine". Nadal's knee injury hampered the end of his 2017 season and forced him to skip last week's Brisbane International, but he was able to give it a workout at the non-tour event in Melbourne. Though he lost in straight sets, the Spaniard said he would keep working hard until the start of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Monday. "I"m very happy to be back in Australia," he said. "I had a heavy year in 2017 and I started my preparation later than usual. "But I've arrived in plenty of time. It's great to get the feeling once again of playing a match. "This was a good test for me after some good training, that's the most important thing." The 16-time Grand Slam winner was far from his best in the exhibition encounter against a player he has beaten 15-0 on the ATP Tour in a rivalry dating .
Wawrinka says he's ready for Australian Open
Former winner Stan Wawrinka today said he's hungry to return to action at next week's Australian Open after six months on the sidelines. The three-time Grand Slam champion hasn't played since Wimbledon, but said he has recovered sufficiently from a knee injury to feature in the year's opening Grand Slam, starting in Melbourne on Monday. "I'm really, really happy to be back on the tour and seeing the sun," the 32-year-old Swiss told reporters in Melbourne. "Still a lot to do but I'm feeling really positive, so looking forward to starting." Wawrinka, who defeated Rafael Nadal to win the 2014 Australian title, has slipped to nine in the world rankings, having not played since his first-round Wimbledon loss to Russian Daniil Medvedev in July. He pulled out of an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi late last month before travelling to Australia to prepare for the Open. "For me, the first thing is to play a match, to play a tennis match again. It's been many months out of the tour,"
Roger Martinez happy to play at Villarreal on loan
Colombian forward Roger Martinez said he was pleased to be joining Villarreal during his presentation as a new player, on loan from China's Jiangsu Suning, and showed his eagerness to stay at the Spanish club after the assignment ends.
Federer eyes fresh 'fairytale' as Slam rivals struggle
The prospects of an unprecedented 20th Grand Slam victory have strengthened for ageless wonder Roger Federer as his main rivals flounder ahead of the Australian Open. The 36-year-old is coming off an extraordinary 2017, when he won a fifth Australian Open title and a record eighth at Wimbledon, and there could be yet more glory with a depleted field of top contenders in Melbourne. Andy Murray and Japan's Kei Nishikori are already out of the year's opening Grand Slam with injuries, while 12-time major champion Novak Djokovic is troubled by an elbow complaint and hasn't played for six months. World number one Rafael Nadal withdrew from his first tour event of 2018, in Brisbane, with continuing knee problems, and is seeking match practice in a Melbourne exhibition event ahead of the January 15 start. The 2014 winner Stan Wawrinka, who hasn't played since last year's Wimbledon and subsequent knee surgery, has had little warm-up work and is no longer with his four-year coach
Ponting named Australia assistant coach for T20s
Ricky Ponting will be an assistant coach during Australia's Twenty20 international series against England and New Zealand next month, Cricket Australia said today. The former Australia captain will work under head coach Darren Lehmann, while Troy Cooley and Matthew Mott will help out during the series. They have been brought on board while regular support staff Graeme Hick, David Saker and Brad Haddin are in South Africa to assist in preparations for Australia's four-Test tour from March. Lehmann has previously said he will not seek to renew his contract when his current deal expires at the end of 2019, with Ponting seen as a potential successor. Ponting undertook the T20 role last year when he worked with the Australia squad for the three-match series against Sri Lanka. He has extensive experience of the shortest form of the game, captaining his country in the first ever T20 international against New Zealand in 2005, and then leading the side in the first two editions
Djokovic leads walking wounded at Australian Open
Twelve-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic headlines a list of walking wounded at the Australian Open, with the Serb desperate to get back to winning ways after six months out injured. The former world number one is making a tilt at a record seventh Melbourne Park crown, but has some serious rust to shake off if he is to make an impression. Djokovic has been sidelined since Wimbledon in July, with a Tie Break Tens exhibition event on Wednesday and the Kooyong Classic, where he is drawn to play world number five Dominic Thiem, his only chance to test his right elbow injury. "Finally back in the land down under. I feel ready. Idemo! (let's go)," he tweeted on Sunday, posting a video of himself hitting on Rod Laver Arena. But after pulling out of an Abu Dhabi tournament late last month and admitting "I still feel the pain", a big question mark hangs over how competitive Djokovic can be. Having added mercurial former tour player Radek Stepanek to a coaching team spearheaded
I'll be up and running in six weeks: Dale Steyn
Unruffled by yet another injury breakdown, South African pacer Dale Steyn says he is hoping to be up and running in the next six weeks after recovering from the muscle tear in his left heel which has ruled him out of the ongoing Test series against India. "I'm on the crutches because I've got a no bearing weight on the leg for a while, at least two weeks, which makes it seem worse than it actually is," Steyn told 'Sony ESPN', the official broadcaster of the series. "But it's right underneath the heel, so it's extremely sore to stand on or step on. And as you know, as fast bowlers we land on that front foot pretty often. So I'm going to have to give it time to recover - six weeks, and I'll be up and running again," he said. The 34-year-old was, ironically, making a comeback from an injury-forced sabbatical in the ongoing series but it was cut short on the second day of the opening Test when he landed awkwardly while bowling. South Africa won the match by 72 runs ...
I was nervous, says du Plessis
The margin of victory was big enough to be called dominant but South Africa captain Faf Du Plessis said he was quite nervous about defending 208 against India in the opening Test. South Africa were dismissed for 130 in their second innings, leaving India with a victory target of 208 on the fourth day. "I was nervous. I knew that the new ball was going to be key for us and that if we could get wickets with the new ball we feel like we can get through their batting line-up," said du Plessis after the match yesterday. "Obviously they've got a few quality players in there but once you can put a bit of pressure on them I thought we can get through them. But definitely I was very nervous. "I came here this morning hoping to get a 350 lead and bowl to them tonight, so obviously that didn't go to plan." Chasing 208, India were bowled out for 135 in 42.4 overs with Vernon Philander taking a career-best six for 42 and Du Plessis was all praise for the bowling attack. "We've got ...
Olivier, Ngidi added to Proteas squad for second India Test
The fast bowling pair of Duanne Olivier and uncapped Lungi Ngidi has been added to the 14-member South Africa squad for the second Test against India, beginning January 13 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.The duo has been included in the Test squad after fast bowler Dale Steyn ruled out of the ongoing three-match Test series against the Virat Kohli-led side due to a heel injury.Steyn sustained significant damage to his left heel when he unfortunately landed awkwardly in the foot-holes during his side's 72-run win over India in the opening Test at the Newlands, Cape Town.Confirming the news, South Africa coach Ottis Gibson said that Olivier and 21-year-old Ngidi would be available for selection in the second Test.The coach, however, added that he felt sad for Steyn as he had done a lot of hard work to get back on track."I felt really sorry for Dale because he had done a lot of hard work to get back to where he was and it was a new injury," Sport24 quoted Gibson, as saying."I've ...
Trump stands on field for National Anthem at college game
US President Donald Trump walked onto the field and stood with members of the military for the National Anthem at a college football national championship game in Atlanta, the media reported.
Wenger eyes new recruits as troubled Arsenal face Chelsea test
Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal flops that new recruits are on the way as the furious Gunners boss prepares for tomorrow's League Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Wenger's side suffered one of the most chastening defeats of his increasingly tarnished reign on Sunday as second tier Nottingham Forest won 4-2 in the FA Cup third round. It was the first time Wenger had crashed out at that stage of the competition since arriving at the north London club in 1996. Wenger's decision to make nine changes backfired, with the understudies delivering a listless display at the City Ground. The Frenchman prioritised the League Cup showdown with Chelsea by keeping his main men fresh for the first leg clash at Stamford Bridge means he can ill-afford a damaging defeat against Antonio Conte's men. But regardless of Arsenal's League Cup fortunes, Wenger has clearly had enough of another underachieving season which sees his team in danger of failing to qualify for the Champions League .
Late 50s by Hasan and Shadab boost Pakistan
Three half-centuries including a late charge by Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan carried Pakistan to 246 for nine batting first against New Zealand in the second one- day international in Nelson today. Mohammad Hafeez hit a solid 60, the 33rd ODI half-century for the veteran right-hander as he held the first half of the innings together. Hasan then blasted his first 50 and Khan his second when they mounted a rescue mission with Pakistan 141 for seven in the 37th over. The pair featured in a 70-run stand off 49 deliveries for the eighth wicket. It was Sarfraz Ahmed's call to bat when he won the toss, saying it looked like a wicket that would favour the side having first use of it. But just as in the first ODI in Wellington on Saturday, the Pakistan top order were not allowed to settle. Imam-ul-Haq, in for the injured Fakhar Zaman, was out for two in the fourth over and Azhar Ali followed five balls later for six. Lochie Ferguson reduced Pakistan to 39 for three when he entered ..
Badminton: Chennai's brilliant fightback raises semifinal hopes
Chennai Smashers spearheaded by P V Sindhu were back in the hunt in the Vodafone Premier Badminton League by taking a 2-0 lead against Bengaluru Blasters here on Monday.Playing their final match of the season in front of their home crowd at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai's grit was evident in the first men's doubles match when Yang Lee and B Sumeeth Reddy made a sensational turnaround to upset Mathias Boe and Kim-Sa Ran 2-1.They lost the first game 8-15 but showed tremendous resilience in the next two tight games by squeezing 15-14 and 15-13 win to surge ahead 1-0.The loss was a big blow for Bangalore as they had nominated it as their Trump match but ended up with a negative point (-1).Sindhu then took charge and upstaged Kristy Gilmour 15-9, 15-14.Although the Scottish girl threatened to take the contest into the third game, Sindhu sealed it in a tie-breaker.Since Chennai had slotted it as a Trump match, they ended up pocketing two points and three points overall.The ...
Virat Kohli lauds SA's bowling attack
Skipper Virat Kohli has lauded the South African bowling attack that created a pressure on the Indian batsmen.Earlier, South Africa defeated India by 72 runs, after the hosts had set a target of 208 runs to win.At a press conference, Kohli said: "The kind of bowling attack they have especially on these pitches, they get extra bounce. You can't be casual, you can't play loose shots. Credit goes to their bowling attack. They force you to play good cricket in all overs"."We let ourselves down with the bat. We lost wickets in bunches. Losing four wickets in four overs is not at all good. 208 was chasable. We needed to be realistic. We wanted someone to score those 75-80 odd runs to bring us back into the game. Also, we wanted a huge partnership, but unfortunately, we failed", added Virat.On being asked about the batsmen playing on a bouncy track, Virat said: "We were prepared. There was no lack of preparations for us. It was a good track, a bouncy track. The batsmen were tested on this ...
PBL-3: Chennai's dogged display raises semi-final hopes
Defending champions Chennai Smashers, spearheaded by P.V. Sindhu, continued to remain in the hunt for a semi-final spot in the Premier Badminton League (PBL) after collecting three points against Bengaluru Blasters here on Monday.
Smashers beat Blasters, keep semifinal hopes alive
P V Sindhu's Chennai Smashers beat Bengaluru Blasters 3-2 in a Premier Badminton League (PBL) match here tonight to keep alive their slim hopes of advancing to the knockout stages. Sindhu had set the tone for the home team, brushing aside the challenge of Kirsty Gilmour 15-9, 15-14 after the doubles team of Lee Yang and B Sumeeth Reddy had snatched a win in the Blasters' trump match. With Sindhu's victory being in the trump match, the Smashers took a huge lead in the tie after two completed encounters. World No.1 Viktor Axelsen fought back for the Blasters and held off Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk 15-11, 6-15, 15-9 to earn the team's first point of the night. Two more victories for Blasters helped reduce the margin of defeat but more importantly the team on top of the standings (on 15 points). Chennai Smashers, meanwhile, climbed to third spot with 12 points after having been at the bottom prior to the tie. The Bengaluru team would have to thank debutant Subhankar Dey and ...
Rohit, Bumrah's selection surprised du Plessis too
South Africa captain Faf Du Plessis was also left surprised by the selection of India batsman Rohit Sharma over Ajinkya Rahane in the first Test. Another surprise call, according to the opposition skipper, was picking debutant Jasprit Bumrah ahead of seniors like Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav. "We were surprised yes. We didnt think that Jasprit Bumrah would have played. We know that hes done really well in one-day cricket but we were preparing more for the other seamers because theyve played a lot of Tests," said du Plessis in the post-match media interaction here. "I think the other guy was Rohit Sharma ahead of Ajinkya Rahane. Hes been in a bit of form one-day cricket wise so theyre probably just running with that, he said. As for his own team, he faced a problem of plenty. "The decision of picking a team was definitely the hardest I have been involved in. There is so much value in both scenarios. Playing seven batsmen that offer a bit more seam is a very good ...
Picked Rohit over Rahane on current form: Kohli
India captain Virat Kohli has defended the selection of Rohit Sharma in the first Test, saying he was picked ahead of Ajinkya Rahane on current form. "Well, we decided to go on current form. Rohit has scored runs in the last three Test matches that he has played, and he was batting well, even in the series against Sri Lanka," said Kohli in the post-match media conference. "These things can always be looked at in hindsight thinking what if or what if not. But we decided to go with this combination and current form was definitely the criterion," added Kohli. Rahane, who has not been amongst the runs of late, had a successful tour of South Africa four years ago. With 209 runs, he was third highest run-getter in the series behind Kohli (272 runs) and Cheteshwar Pujara (280). India lost the first Test by 72 runs with batting letting them down in both the innings.
Philander's six-fer gives Proteas 72-run win over India
Pacer Vernon Philander's career-best figures of 6-42 guided South Africa to a thumping 72-run victory over India with a day to spare in the opening Test of the three-match series here at Newlands on Monday.Chasing a target of 208 runs to win, the Indian team failed to counter South Africa's bowling attack once again and collapsed like a pack of cards.Openers Murali Vijay (13) and Shikhar Dhawan (16) fell in quick succession, reducing India to 30-2.The middle order soon followed suit, with Cheteshwar Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha, and Hardik Pandya, not being able to reach a double-figure mark.Skipper Virat Kohli (28) made an effort to salvage the innings, but he too failed to convert his good start into a big score and fell cheaply, further reducing the total to 82-7.All-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin tried to steady his side's innings along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the duo gathered 49 runs for the eighth wicket before the team was eventually bowled out for 135.Ashwin's 37-run knock off 53 ...
Taking 20 wickets of little value if we don't bat well: Kohli
His bowlers set it up nicely by taking 20 South African wickets but a dejected India captain Virat Kohli said that it would be of little consequence if the batsmen don't put up a better show in the upcoming matches. India's star-studded batting line-up scored 209 and 135 in both essays in their 72-run defeat in the first Test. "Taking 20 wickets to win a Test match is the priority. But if your batsmen don't bat well, then it doesn't matter. If you are not getting close to their total, it doesnt matter if you have taken 20 wickets or not. We needed to bat better than what we did," Kohli didn't beat around the bush after yet another humiliating defeat outside the sub-continent. The skipper felt for his bowling attack which dismissed South Africa for 130 in the second innings and kept the victory target at a gettable 208. "Definitely, we feel for the bowlers because they bowled their hearts out. A guy like Jasprit (Bumrah) bowled beautifully in his first Test match, he ...