Page 220 - Sports

French Open: Federer cruises past Lorenzo Sonego in first round

Roger Federer had an ideal start to his French Open campaign as he defeated Lorenzo Sonego 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round match on Sunday.The world number three outclassed Sonego in the first-round match that lasted for about an hour and 41 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier.Federer, who is playing his third tournament on clay this year, looked in an impeccable form on the court, making early moves moving well to force Sonego work hard for every point.The Swiss tennis legend fired 30 winners and 13 unforced errors in the match and Sonego won just 13 points on the return. He was able to break Federer once but he did not give a serious challenge to such a strong opponent.As a result of this win, the 37-year-old Federer registered his 343rd Grand Slam win and the 66th in Paris.Federer won the first two sets reasonably easily and nothing much changed in the third set as well. Federer stood firm in his games, he just had to work harder to forge the lead. He wasted the first four break ...

Rain washes out WC warm-up games between Pak-Bangladesh, SA-WI

The ICC World Cup warm-up matches between Pakistan and Bangladesh and South Africa and West Indies were Sunday called off due to rain in both the venues. While the Pakistan-Bangladesh match in Cardiff was abandoned without a ball being bowled, the tie between South Africa and West Indies saw very little action. South Africa were coasting at 95 for no loss in Bristol after being sent into bat when the match was called off. Hashim Amla was batting on 51 off 46 balls and Quinton de Cook was not out on 37 off 30 balls. The match between South Africa and West Indies witnessed two rain interruptions -- first after nine overs and then after 12.4 overs, forcing the on-field umpires to abandon the game. While Pakistan were stunned by Afghanistan by three wickets in their first warm-up game in Bristol on Friday, South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 87 runs in their opening practice match in Cardiff the same day.

Chawrasia's 65 pushes him up to 18th in Denmark

India's SSP Chawrasia played his best round on the European Tour since November 2017 as he carded a bogey-free six-under 65 to rise to Tied-18th at the end of the Made in Denmark, presented by FREJA. Chawrasia, winner of four European Tour titles, has been going through a slump on the European Tour for past two years, but on Sunday he showed that he might be finding his form once again. The last time Chawrasia recorded a 65 on an European Tour event was in Hong Kong Open in November 2017 and last year he shot 65 in the second round of Take Solutions Masters on Asian Tour. Austrian Bernd Wiesberger won his fifth European Tour title after a thrilling final day battle with Robert MacIntyre. The Austrian started the day a shot clear of his playing partner at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort but the duo could not be separated after 15 holes, with both men producing some stunning golf. Wiesberger (66) totalled 14-under 270 to McIntyre's (66) 13-under 271. Gaganjeet Bhullar (75) ended T-63, .

Nirmal, Mihir star in of national karting championship

Chennai's Nirmal Umashankar and Bengaluru's Mihir Suman Avalakki emerged as the heroes after Round 1 of the JK Tyre-FMSCI National Karting Chamionship 2019, X-30 class, at the Meco Kartopia here on Sunday.

We never thought of winning 1983 WC when we left India: Srikkanth

Former captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth says India never thought of winning the 1983 World Cup and that's why his flight was booked from Bombay to New York with just a stopover in London. Srikkanth, who was an integral part of the 1983 World Cup winning team, said captain Kapil Dev's self belief also rubbed on other players and that was one of the reasons for the historic triumph. India beat the mighty West Indies in the final at the Lord's to win their maiden World Cup in 1983. "When we left the shores of India in 1983 we never expected to be world champions. In fact my flight was from Bombay to New York with just a stopover in London for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup," Srikkanth was quoted as saying by the ICC media. "That was because in the first two World Cups the only team we had beaten was East Africa, we even lost to Sri Lanka who were not yet a Test team." The former dashing opener said captain Kapil made the difference in the World Cup with his self-belief which was not ...

Triumphant Indian Women's Hockey team returns after series win over Republic of Korea

Rani-led Indian Women's Hockey team returned to Bengaluru on Sunday after winning the three-match series 2-1 against the Republic of Korea.The Indian team won back-to-back matches against the hosts and they lost the final match. India defeated the hosts 2-1 in the opening two matches whereas they lost the final match 0-4.In the series, defender Sunita Lakra completed 150 international matches for India and 18-year-old striker Lalremsiami completed 50 international matches."It was not exactly the way we wanted to finish the Series but I think the experience was important at this juncture," Indian team coach Marijne said in an official statement."Two of the three matches we did very good and executed our plans well. While those two wins were confidence boosting, we must forget those victories and only think about the last match which did not go according to plan and focus on how we can improve ahead of the crucial Olympic qualifying event," he added.There will be a national coaching ...

Apurvi Chandela wins 10m air rifle gold at Munich WC

Apurvi Chandela on Sunday won the gold in women's 10m air rifle at the ISSF World Cup in Munich. The 26-year-old shot 251 points in the final to pip China's Luyao Wang's score of 250.8. This was Apurvi's second gold of the year, having won the first at the Delhi World Cup in February.

Inspired by 'Universe Boss', Taylor does not rule out playing in 2023 World Cup

New Zealand batting mainstay Ross Taylor is preparing to play in his fourth World Cup but he has not ruled out featuring in another one four years later as he get "inspired" by West Indian Chris Gayle. At 35, the upcoming event could be the New Zealand batting great's final World Cup bow but he says if his body allows he may still be playing in another showpiece event. For that, he does not have to look far for inspiration as he is keen to follow the 39-year-old 'Universe Boss' Gayle, for whom age has proven merely a number with runs scored and sixes struck aplenty. "I'm 35 but you never really know what is to come. Chris Gayle is probably an inspiration -- he is 39 in this World Cup and I am 39 at the next, so it is not a simple matter," Taylor, who will be playing in his fourth World Cup, was quoted as saying by the ICC website. "You never know, this will probably be my last World Cup but if these hamstrings and calves hold together then maybe I can be back in a few years." New ...

Apurvi wins year's second women's 10m Air Rifle WC gold

India's Apurvi Chandela continued her golden run of form, winning the women's 10m Air Rifle after a closely-fought contest on Sunday at the year's third International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rifle/Pistol stage in Munich, Germany. The shooter from Jaipur shot a score of 251 in the final to outshine Wang Luyao of China, who shot 250.8, to settle for the silver medal. Another Chinese shooter, Xu Hong, finished third with a score of 229.4 in the final. It was a neck-and-neck battle between Apurvi and Wang, where the Indian was just 0.1 ahead as she shot a 10.4 to Wang's 10.3 to clinch the issue. This was Apurvi's second ISSF World Cup gold of the year followed by a world record score in New Delhi in February. In the second Beijing leg she had finished just outside the medal bracket -- at fourth place. This was also Apurvi's career's fourth ISSF medal. Another Indian in the fray today, Elavenil Valarivan also made it to the finals along with teammate Apurvi but narrowly .

Samiya, Maisnam clinch junior badminton titles

Telanganas No. 5 seed Samiya Imad Farooqui continued her meteoric rise as she clinched the U-19 girls singles title at the All-India Junior Ranking badminton tournament here on Sunday.

Kerber crashes to Russian teen at Roland Garros as Federer returns

German fifth seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber saw her hopes of a career Grand Slam ended by Russian teenager Anastasia Potapova at Roland Garros on Sunday as Roger Federer prepared to make his Paris return after a four-year absence. Fifth-seeded Wimbledon champion Kerber slumped to a 6-4, 6-2 defeat to 18-year-old Potapova who was making her French Open debut. "I had a lot of confidence and I have to thank my coach for that," said 81st-ranked Potapova who hit 28 winners past her German opponent. Kerber, 31, has now lost six times in the French Open first round. The German left-hander had come into Roland Garros carrying a right ankle injury which forced her to pull out of the Italian Open and retire from her second round tie in Madrid. "She played really good, I tried my best," said Kerber who was broken six times in the match which brought the curtain up on a rebuilt Court Philippe Chatrier. "I didn't really have great preparation and I was just happy to get on ..

Hanfmann feels childhood deafness can boost chances of shocking Nadal

When Yannick Hanfmann takes on 11-time champion Rafael Nadal in the biggest match of his career at Roland Garros, he won't be fazed by the noise generated by thousands of fans getting behind the Spaniard as being partially deaf from childhood means he probably won't hear them anyway. The 27-year-old German, ranked a lowly 184 in the world, has come through three tough rounds of qualifying to make the main draw in Paris for the first time. Likely to play Nadal on the 15,000-seater Court Philippe Chatrier, Hanfmann says his childhood deafness can occasionally work to his advantage. "A centre court full of spectators doesn't affect me," the Munich resident told Germany daily Bild in an interview. "I have a hearing aid but it doesn't really work. Sometimes it's a problem, because not everyone knows. "If I don't react when somebody calls my name, they think 'what's up with him?'" Hanfmann only turned professional four years ago after a four-year US college stint in which he helped the ...

Sarri's Chelsea future in spotlight as Europa final looms

Maurizio Sarri faces an uncertain future as Chelsea manager even if the much-maligned Italian leads his side to victory in the Europa League final against Arsenal. Sarri has endured a traumatic first season at Stamford Bridge and he heads to Baku with little clarity over his prospects of staying in charge beyond Wednesday's final. Despite guiding Chelsea into next season's Champions League, via a third-place finish in the Premier League, and reaching two cup finals, there remains a sense Sarri is on borrowed time whatever the result against Arsenal. The 60-year-old has been linked with a move to Juventus or Roma, with reports saying Chelsea would not block his return to Serie A. Even if Sarri does not join the Italian champions, he could still be sacked if Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and his coterie of advisors feel the former Napoli boss is not the man to guide them through a turbulent period. With a damaging two-window transfer ban looming -- pending an appeal by Chelsea to the ..

Emery seeks Europa League success to salvage Arsenal's season

Unai Emery's first season at Arsenal will be judged a success or failure depending on the outcome of a single game -- the Europa League final against Chelsea -- but the Spaniard has a habit of saving his best for Europe's second-tier competition. Emery won the Europa League three years in a row between 2014 and 2016 when at Sevilla and would become the most decorated coach in the competition's history with another victory in Baku. However, it is not only a first European trophy for 25 years at stake for Arsenal, but also a much-needed return to the riches of the Champions League after a two-season absence that will make or break the impression of Emery's debut campaign. Arsenal's preparations for the final have been dogged by off-field issues over the awarding of the final to the Azerbaijani capital. Many fans have been priced out of making the near-5,000-mile (8,000-kilometre) round trip, while Emery's team selection has also been affected, with midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan deciding

Easwaran, Amolpreet put India 'A' in command against Sri Lanka 'A'

Abhimanyu Easwaran's double ton and Amolpreet Singh's century helped India 'A' post an imposing 622 for five declared against Sri Lanka 'A' in the first unofficial Test here Sunday. At stumps on day two, Sri Lanka 'A' were in deep trouble at 83 for four, trailing India 'A' by 539 runs, with Ashan Priyanjan and Niroshan Dickwella batting on 22 runs each. In reply to the hosts' mammoth total, Sri Lanka 'A' lost Sangeet Coorey (0), Sadeera Samarawickrama (31), Pathum Nissanka (6) and Bhanuka Rajapaksha (0). Coorey and Samarawickrama were snapped up by Sandeep Warrier, while Nissanka and Priyanjan were scalped by Shivam Dube. Resuming at the overnight score of 376 for one, Easwaran (233), who was batting on 189, reached to his double century in the first session by adding 44 runs before he was adjudged LBW to Akila Dhananjaya. He hit 22 boundaries and three sixes during his 321-ball knock. Easwaran also shared 82 runs for the third wicket with Amolpreet, who made 116 runs off 165 balls .

Maisnam Meraba, Samiya Farooqui win titles in Jr Badminton

Manipur lad Maisnam Meraba and Telangana's Samiya Imad Farooqui won the boys and girls under-19 singles titles respectively in the Microplex Global and Yonex-Sunrise All-India Junior Ranking badminton Tournament here on Sunday. The second-seeded Meiraba had things easy when his Delhi rival Aakash Yadav retired mid-way through the second game due to injury. The Manipur boy was leading 21-9, 12-7 when Yadav decided to call it quits. In the girls final, Samiya, the Asia Under-15 champion, hailed as the new prodigy from the Gopichand Academy, easily beat Delhi's No.16 seed Aashi Rawat 21-17, 21-12 in the final. Samiya jumped to a 16-12 lead before Aashi fought back to narrow the lead to 15-17 but couldn't sustain the fight and went down 17-21. The second game was a one-sided affair after some early defiance from the Delhi loss. Results-All Finals: Boys under-19 singles: Maisnam Meiraba (Manipur-X2) bt Aakash Yadav (X5) 21-9 12-7 (retired). Girls under-19 singles: Samiya Imad .

French Open: Anastasia Potapova upsets Angelique Kerber in first round

The French Open witnessed a stunning upset on its very first day as 18-year-old Anastasia Potapova outclassed Angelique Kerber 6-4, 6-2 in the first round match on Sunday.World number 81 Potapova played fearlessly throughout the match against the number five seed Kerber. This is Potapova's first appearance at the Roland Garros and this was just her second career meeting with a top ten player.Kerber, who was chasing a career Grand Slam, had no answer to the attacking gameplay shown by her Russian opponent.From the very beginning, Potapova was in blistering form and Kerber was not able to match her intensity. Kerber showed some signs of early-tournament nerves. Twice she found herself a breakdown, but she was able to respond immediately.But when Potapova broke for the third time, it was too late for Kerber to respond as the first set slipped away from her. Kerber's tallied up just eight winners to 11 unforced errors and as a result, she lost the first set 4-6.Potapova registered 13 ...

(ATTN ARITRA) Real challenge would be when ball won't swing: Boult

After helping his team thrash India in a warm-up match ahead of the World Cup here, New Zealand seamer Trent Boult said the real challenge for the pacers would be when the ball won't swing on flat English wickets.

Lahiri slips to Tied-37 at Schwab Challenge

Anirban Lahiri finished at two-over 72 and a total of one-over 211 to slip to Tied-37th after the penultimate round of the Charles Schwab Challenge here. He continued to have trouble with putts between 10 and 15 feet as he failed to convert no less than six in that zone, besides another one less than seven feet in the third round. Kevin Na settled for a one-under 69 a day after shooting 62 and at nine-under he is in lead. Right behind him there are four players, including the local favorite Jordan Spieth and Jim Furyk, the 2003 US Open champion who hasn't won in four years. There was also C T Pan, who broke through for a maiden win recently at RBC Heritage at Hilton Head, and Tony Finau, who has been looking to add to his sole win in 2016 in Puerto Rico. Lahiri hit 12 of 18 greens in regulation during his third round. He birdied just once on second and dropped three bogeys on sixth, seventh and 17th. The 49-year-old Furyk, who has just one of his 17 PGA TOUR victories in the past nine

S. Korean experience may prove crucial: Marijne

Sjoerd Marijne, coach of Indian women's hockey team, has said the series win in South Korea is vital for team's preparations for the forthcoming FIH Women's Series Finals, slated in Hiroshima, Japan, from June 15.