Page 2180 - Sports
Arsenal sign Greek defender Mavropanos
Arsenal made their first signing of 2018 -- in form Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos from PAS Giannina F.C.
Juventus winger Pjaca joins Schalke 04 on loan
Croatian winger Marko Pjaca joined Schalke 04 from Italian giants Juventus on loan, the German football club announced.
Tottenham salvage 1-1 draw with West Ham
A goal by Heung-Win Son six minutes from the end of regulation allowed Tottenham Hotspur to avoid a 1-0 home loss to fellow Londoners West Ham United here in the final of the English Premier League's hectic holiday period.
Serena pulls out of Australian Open
Defending champion Serena Williams on Friday said she will withdraw from the Australian Open, adding she was not fully prepared to keep playing after becoming a mother four months ago.
Smith milestone as Aussies chip away at England lead
Steve Smith racked up another milestone as he continued to torment England and Usman Khawaja neared a century to put Australia in a strong position after day two of the final Ashes Test in Sydney on Friday. The Australian skipper became the second fastest batsman to reach 6,000 Test runs in his 111th innings, second only to the legendary Don Bradman. Smith, with three centuries in this five-match series, has been the bane of the England team and was potentially heading towards another ton. At the close, Smith was on 44 with Khawaja reaching his highest score of the series on 91 in Australia's 193 for two in reply to England's 346 first innings. So far in the series Smith has scored 648 runs at 162. The pair shared in a 107-run partnership after the loss of openers Cameron Bancroft and David Warner. Khawaja raised his third fifty of the series with a six down the ground off Moeen Ali. Debutant Mason Crane, the youngest specialist spinner at 20 to play for England in 90 ...
'Super close' Serena pulls out of Australian Open
Former world number one and American tennis star Serena Williams has pulled out of the first major of the season, Australian Open, beginning January 15.The 36-year-old, who won last year's Grand Slam title at the Melbourne Park, made a comeback to the tennis last week just four-and-a-half months after giving birth to her baby girl Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.In September, Serena had revealed that she had set an 'outrageous' goal of making a comeback at the Australian Open, something which will push her Grand Slam total to an all-time record-tying 24 titles.However, Serena now said that she is not fully ready to return for the season-opening Grand Slam as she believes her preparations had fallen just short of what she needed to be competitive."After competing in Abu Dhabi I realised that, although I am super close, I'm not where I personally want to be," the Guardian quoted Serena, as saying."My coach and team always said, 'only go to tournaments when you are prepared to go all the way'.
Carolina Marin launches Mera Hoardings app
Ace Spanish shuttler Carolina Marin along with players of Hyderabad Hunters, a team in the Premier Badminton League, has launched 'Mera Hoardings', a billboard advertising marketplace mobile app here. The app allows multiple hoarding companies and agencies sign up and register themselves to sell their vacant billboard /hoardings on online, a release from Mera Hoardings said. The app was launched yesterday. Mera Hoardings, is a city-based outdoor online booking company and has been an official partner for sports championships ranging from local cricket leagues to the Indian Premier League. It is also is the official outdoor partner for BCCI, IPL and the Pro Kabaddi League. Saikrishna Gajavelly, Founder and Chairman of Mera Hoardings said his company rolled out a massive Outdoor Advertising campaign supporting Hyderabad Hunters team in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Guwahati. "Hoardings with the images of players in their aggressive .
Cape Town Test: Kohli & co. look to end 25-year drought in South Africa
After rampaging through the home season, India will now aim to continue their winning momentum overseas as well, when they head to the first Test of the three-match series against South Africa here at Newslands on Friday.After being rested for the series against Sri Lanka, Virat Kohli will lead the Indian side against South Africa, which will be captained by Faf du Plessis.India, who have won nine successive Test series to equal the record of Australia and England, will be brimming with confidence and will look to clinch their first Test series win against South Africa.India have never managed to win a Test series on South African soil for the past 25 years. Their best result came during the 2010-11 series, which India drew 1-1.It should be noted that India's record in South Africa is woeful, having won just two Tests while losing eight games.Meanwhile, Kohli's side can also break new records and become the first side in history to get to ten Test series win in a row with a victory ...
England snare Warner wicket in blow for Aussies
England claimed the big wicket of David Warner to have Australia two down in their chase after the tourists' first innings 346 on day two of the final Ashes Test in Sydney on Friday. The Australian vice-captain reached his fourth half- century of the series before James Anderson coaxed an edge for wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow. Warner was on his way for 56 off 104 balls as Australia reached tea at 96 for two with Usman Khawaja on 36 and Steve Smith not out three to trail the tourists by 250 runs. Cameron Bancroft was earlier bowled for a seven-ball duck to ramp up the pressure on the struggling opening batsman. Stuart Broad got one to nip back and knock over Bancroft's middle stump to continue the opener's run of outs after an unbeaten 82 in the second innings of the first Brisbane Test. England's maligned tail earlier piled on runs before the tourists were bowled out at lunch. Newcomer Tom Curran smacked 39 off 65 balls, Moeen Ali hit 30 and Stuart Broad clubbed two ...
ISL: Kerala Blasters hold Pune City to 1-1 draw
Mark Sifneos cancelled out Marcelinho's goal to give Kerala Blasters FC a vital 1-1 draw on the return of David James as head coach against FC Pune City in a Indian Super League (ISL) battle here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi last evening.Kerala Blasters, last year's finalists, are still winless in three matches but home fans will be happy to see a more direct approach bring some positive moments in a match that could have gone either way.Marcelinho played a neat give-and-go with Ashique Kuruniyan, opened his body towards his left side and produced a neat finish in the 33rd minute to give the visitors a well-deserved lead. But Kerala's equaliser, which came in the 73rd minute, was equally well worked. Courage Pekuson escaped his marker down the left and made the right decision to cut it back for Sifneos.The Dutchman took it first time with his left foot - kept it low - and applied enough power to beat goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.The point keeps the Blasters in eighth position, .
Real spot on while Barcelona held to cup draw
Two penalties helped Real Madrid to a healthy 3-0 win in the first leg of their Copa Del Rey tie with second-tier Numancia on Thursday, while Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw as the La Liga giants rested their stars. Gareth Bale was one of a handful of Real first-team regulars on display at the Estadio Los Pajaritos, and was on hand to slot home the first from the penalty spot ten minutes before the break after Lucas Vazques was clumsily brought down in the box by Carlos Gutierrez. They survived a serious scare in the 76th minute when Inigo Perez snatched the ball from Marcos Llorente and launched a 40-yard shot over the head of keeper Kiko Cassila that thumped the crossbar and came agonisingly close to crossing the line. Real sealed the win with another spot kick a minute from the end, again won by Vasquez but this time slammed home by substitute Isco, and Baroja Mayoral completed the rout a minute later with a close range header. "We had a few problems in the second .
Tail wags as England all out for 346 in Sydney Test
England's maligned tail piled on runs before the tourists were bowled out for 346 in their first innings at lunch on the second day of the final Ashes Test here today. Newcomer Tom Curran smacked 39 off 65 balls and Stuart Broad clubbed two sixes in his 31 off 32 balls as England lashed out late in the extended morning session. Steve Smith pulled off a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Dawid Malan for 62, but the Australians were guilty of two embarrassing dropped catches to give England a helping hand. The Australian skipper made an athletic diving catch to end the dangerous batsman's innings inside the opening half- hour's play. Smith, who had dropped his previous three chances over the last two Tests, flung out his left-hand at second slip to make the catch off Mitchell Starc. Malan, who was dropped by Smith at slip on Thursday's opening day on 34, was not so fortunate this time to end his four-hour stay off 180 balls. Malan, who hit a century in the third Perth ...
Vodafone Premier Badminton League: Saina Nehwal beats Beiwen Zhang
Indian ace shuttler and world No. 10 Saina Nehwal pulled off a stunning 8-15, 15-10, 15-13 victory over World No.11 Beiwen Zhang of USA, on Thursday, helping Awadhe Warriors stay afloat in the tie against Mumbai Rockets in the Vodafone Premier Badminton League.Mumbai currently leads duel 2-0 on points, and have three matches out of five in the tie.The Hyderabadi shuttler was no match in the opening game against Beiwen, who perfectly tormented her with her superb cross-court drops and smashes.Saina, known for her resiliency got back into the match and even though Beiwen was leading in the initial phases of second game, the Indian slowly turned the tides and went into break leading 8-7. She did not allow Beiwen any chance post the interval and wrapped up the game to restore parity.In the final game, Saina did not let go off the opportunity to pounce on her opponent and gave her all into play. She made full use of the tiring US player and went into the break with a lead of 8-4. After the
Maharashtra Open: Top-seed Marin Cilic advances to semis
Croatian Tennis player Marin Cilic advanced to the semi-finals of the Maharashtra Open with a straight set victory over eighth-seed Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the quarter-finals at the Mhalunge Balewadi Stadium on Thursday, here.World No. 6 Cilic came into the quarter-finals after beating India's Ramkumar Ramanathan in straight sets on Wednesday.The Croat started the match aggressively, showing credence in his serving and returning well to keep the 26-year-old Herbert at bay in the first set.The top-seeded player at the tournament won 20 out of the possible 25 service points that helped him in wrapping up the first set 6-3.In the second set, Herbert tried to make things work for him but his second serve let him down as Cilic won eight out of the nine points on the Frenchman's second serve.The 2014 US Open winner outclassed Herbert towards the later stages of the second set and won the match in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.In the other quarter-final, Gilles Simon kept his pre-season form going
Defending champions Bopanna, Jeevan ousted, Yuki-Sharan in
Defending champions Rohan Bopanna and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan were tonight ousted from the Tata Open Maharashtra but Yuki Bhambri and Divij Sharan combined to shock the top seeds, keeping the Indian hopes alive. Bopanna and left-handed Jeevan, up against a very solid singles players in Gilles Simon and two-time Grand Slam champion Pierre-Hugues Herbert lost 3-6, 5-7 in one hour and 10 minutes. However, Yuki and Sharan kept the home fans interested by knocking out the top seeded pair of Robert Lindstedt and Franko Skugor 7-5, 2-6, 10-6 in their quarterfinals. Bopanna said their opponents returned too good, making their life tough. "Gilles Simon showed why he is such a good player. They returned extremely well. We hung in but Simon's big serves on decue points made the difference," the tall Coorgi said. Jeevan, who lost his serve twice, said they tried different things like I formation, moving right-left and then getting back to regular things but nothing worked. "Simons ...
India gear up for cricket World Cup for blind
The Indian Cricket team for Blind is all geared up to participate in the fifth World Cup, which has been shifted to UAE.Earlier, Pakistan was scheduled to host the event but the venue was relocated to UAE after the Indian government refused to grant permission to the team to travel to Islamabad for the matches in the wake of political tensions between the two countries.Commenting on it, Mahantesh G K, president Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), said that he respects the decision taken by the government as the country comes first."I respect what the government has decided. It is more than an individual's decision because the country comes first so the government is a better judge to decide on it," he said while talking to ANI.Mahantesh, however, said that it does not really matter whether India plays in Pakistan or UAE when it comes to playing.The Indian team but will go to UAE and play its first match against Australia on January 8 in Ajman.The final of the tournament
Sub-junior National Hockey C'ship 'B' division to start tomorrow
A total of 21 teams will vie for top honours at the Hockey India 8th Sub Junior National Hockey Championship 2018 (Men) 'B' Division which will be held from January 5 to 14 at the Hojai Sports Stadium in Assam.The participating teams are divided into four pools which will see Hockey Rajasthan, The Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd, Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Telangana Hockey and Goans Hockeyfeature in Pool A.Bengal Hockey Association, Hockey Him, Bengaluru Hockey Association, Kerala Hockey, Hockey Puducherry are grouped in Pool B while Hockey Coorg, Citizen Hockey XI, Hockey Madhya Bharat, Assam Hockey, Vidarbha Hockey Association are grouped in Pool C.Pool D will feature Hockey Mizoram, Sports Authority of Gujarat - Hockey Academy, Hockey Uttrakhand, Hockey Himachal, Hockey Jammu and Kashmir and Hockey Gujarat.It will be a tight contest as teams who finish at the top of the pool table will play the semi-finals on January 13.Last year, Namdhari XI had defeated Mumbai Schools Sports ...
Mumbai trounce Awadhe to stay alive in PBL-3
Mumbai Rockets trumped Awadhe Warriors 3-2 (4-1 on points) to stay alive in the Premier Badminton League (PBL) at the BBD UPBA here on Thursday.
ISL: Pune City hold Kerala Blasters to move to top
Mark Sifneos cancelled out Marcelinho's goal to give Kerala Blasters FC a vital draw (1-1) against FC Pune City in the Indian Super League season four battle at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Thursday.
Anderson prevails over Kukushkin, Cilic outplays Herbert
Marin Cilic and Kevin Anderson, the two Grand Slam finalists last year, brightened prospects of a summit showdown by reaching the semifinals of the Tata Open Maharashtra with contrasting wins here tonight. Top seed Cilic from Croatia outplayed eighth seed Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3 6-2 in 64 minutes while Anderson survived a mighty scare from a dogged Mikhail Kukushkin before edging him 6-7(3) 6-4 6-2. The US Open finalist from South Africa had to strategise and re-strategise against the Kazak in an intense quarterfinal, which lasted two hours and 30 minutes. His big serve, with which he fired 24 aces, was put to test by the Kazakh, but eventually, the tall South African found a way to win. Up against Kukushkin, a great retriever, Anderson had to rely on serve and volley mid way into the match and the strategy did work. He also used the drop shots to good effect. "He is one of the best returners in the world. You hope to hit aces and get some free points but you .