Page 494 - Sports
Prajnesh stuns Basilashvili at Indian Wells
Indian qualifier Prajnesh Gunneswaran achieved the biggest win of his career when he stunningly knocked world number 18 Nikoloz Basilashvili out of the Indian Wells ATP Masters event, continuing his dream run here. Playing his maiden singles main draw at this level, the Indian left-hander secured a hard-fought 6-4 6(6)-7 7-6(4) victory over the Georgian in two hours 32 minutes. The world number 97 needed only a single break of serve to take the lead in the match. Prajnesh broke Basilashvili's serve in the fifth game and then held his serve to take the opening set in 31 minutes. The second and third sets were tightly contested and went into tie breaks with Basilashvili emerging victorious in the former and Prajnesh in the latter to seal a spot in the next round. "It was definitely a huge match. I think I played well better than I did in the previous round. I had to step up because I was playing a really good player, someone who has been in form and is ranked in the top 20," Prajnesh ...
Barca keep rolling in La Liga with win over Rayo
FC Barcelona were far from their best but managed to make the most of their opportunities in a 3-1 La Liga victory over Rayo Vallecano.
With World Cup in mind, Khawaja leaves selectors in dilemma
Batsman Usman Khawaja has pushed his case for the upcoming 50-over World Cup, leaving Australia's selectors in dilemma with his maiden ODI ton against India in the third one-day international.Khawaja's knock of 104 laid the foundation for his side's match-winning total of 313 for five to keep Australia alive 1-2 in the five-match series against India.Australia's selectors will have to make a tough decision while picking their batting line-up for the World Cup, where Australia will start their campaign against Afghanistan on June 1 in Bristol.Aaron Finch, Australia captain, and returning batsman David Warner have had one of the most successful first-wicket partnerships. The duo were openers in the 2015 World Cup triumph."Any time you are tossing up leaving out really good players and guys in good form it is always a great position to be in. When you are trying to find guys and shuffle guys to fill spots, that is when you are struggling a bit.'Uzzie' (Khawaja) has been in great nick, he
Gaurav Bora lead Chennai City to maiden I-League title
Gaurav Bora led Chennai City FC to its maiden I-League title as the side defeated Minerva Punjab FC 3-1 at the Nehru Stadium in Coimbatore.Chennai finished with 43 points, one ahead of Quess East Bengal (QEB), who despite winning their final game against Gokulam Kerala, saw their dream of the first-ever title triumph fade away on Sunday.Pedro Manzi, their premiere Spanish striker fittingly scored a goal to join Churchill Brother's Willis Plaza as the joint top scorer of the league with 21 goals apiece, but the day undoubtedly belonged to Bora, a versatile defender cum midfielder who capped off a brilliant season with a double-strike when it mattered most for his team.It did not begin perfectly as Minerva took an early lead in the third minute of the game through Ukranian recruit Roland Bilala. It was off a Juan Querro free-kick from the right flank that he rose to beat his marker and lodge his header into the back of the net.Chennai kept pressing thereafter and with Nestor Gordillo ...
Shiva, Hussamuddin among six to enter finals of Finland boxing tourney
There was no stopping the Indian juggernaut as Shiva Thapa and Mohammed Hussamuddin, along with four others, advanced to the finals of the 38th GeeBee Boxing Tournament in Helsinki, Finland. Thapa (60kg), a three-time Asian medallist besides being a former bronze-winner at the world championships, out-punched Russia's Mikhail Varlamov to notch up a 5-0 triumph. The Assamese boxer has set up a summit showdown with local favourite Arslan Khataev. Signing off with bronze medals after semifinal losses were Sumit Sangwan (91kg) and former youth world champion Sachin Siwach (52kg). It will be a rare all-Indian final in the 56kg category with Hussamuddin taking on Kavinder Singh Bisht, a world championship quarterfinalist. Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Hussamuddin pulled off a narrow 3-2 triumph over Kazakhstan's Zhanbolat Kydyrbayev, while Bisht got the better of Frenchman Jordan Rodriquez to make the finals. Also advancing to the last-two stage were Dinesh Dagar (69kg), Naveen Kumar .
Djokovic dispatches Fratangelo to reach Indian Wells 3rd rd
Novak Djokovic shook off some rust and US qualifier Bjorn Fratangelo Saturday, opening his ATP Indian Wells Masters campaign with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 victory. The second-round clash was the world number one's first match since he won his seventh Australian Open title in January. Djokovic went down an early break to the 128th-ranked Fratangelo, but leveled the set with a break for 5-5. He had to dig down again in the tiebreaker, taking a 4-1 lead before Fratangelo fought back to lead 5-4. But Fratangelo coughed up a double fault and sent a forehand wide on his own serve and Djokovic was able to seal the set on his first opportunity when Fratangelo sent a forehand wide. From there Djokovic dominated, sealing the win after one hour and 29 minutes. "To be honest, I was a bit nervous in the beginning, I didn't play my best. Credit to Bjorn for coming out firing from every corner. "I was lucky to get the first set. After that things went better for me," said Djokovic, who dominated the second .
Wagner, Boult carve through Bangladesh
An effective four-wicket spell by New Zealand's short-ball king Neil Wagner and three late wickets to Trent Boult saw Bangladesh all out for 211 in the rain-shortened second Test in Wellington on Sunday. After being put in to bat after the first two days were washed out and going to lunch at 127 for three, Bangladesh lost their last seven wickets 84 runs in the middle session. Three of the dismissals, including the key scalp of Tamim Iqbal for 74, came in a sharp 13-ball spell from Wagner either side of lunch. Boult came back to destroy the tail with three wickets in nine balls. Tamim had led a spirited start to the Test when the match finally saw some overdue action on the third morning, with the green wicket not holding the predicted demons. He put on 75 for the first wicket with Shadman Islam and was unbeaten on 72 when Bangladesh went to lunch at 127 for three. But he only had time for two quick singles after the resumption before his touch deserted him and an attempted pull shot .
Kyrgios falls at first hurdle at Indian Wells
Australian Nick Kyrgios, coming off a scintillating run to the ATP title in Acapulco, lost his opening match at the ATP Indian Wells Masters to German Philipp Kohlschreiber. A break of serve in each set was enough to give Kohlschreiber, ranked 39th in the world a 6-4, 6-4 victory over 33rd-ranked Kyrgios. Kyrgios had captured his first ATP title in more than a year when he lifted the Mexico Open trophy, beating three top-10 players along the way in world number two Rafael Nadal, No. 9 John Isner of the United States and, in the final, third-ranked German Alexander Zverev. Kyrgios's title run in Mexico wasn't without controversy, with Nadal praising the mercurial Aussie's talent while also charging he "lacks respect for the public, the opponent and for himself." Kyrgios shrugged off those comments and said Saturday he'd put the good and bad of Acapulco behind him. "Honestly, I'm over that now," Kyrgios said, adding that he was mentally ready for his Indian Wells opener but just didnt' .
Venus fights past frustrated Kvitova, Osaka takes Indian Wells stage I
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams rallied from a set and two breaks down to topple third-seeded Petra Kvitova 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 on Saturday and reach the third round at Indian Wells. "Today I just fought and tried my hardest," said Williams, currently ranked 36th in the world. "Honestly, a double break is not ideal against a great server, especially a left-handed server. "A lot of it is just being in the moment. And I think I created some opportunities. I had some good points. I think she had a few tight points, and here we are." She booked a third-round clash with fellow American Christina McHale, a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 winner over 30th-seeded Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova, who was runner-up to Naomi Osaka at the Australian Open in January, also reached the final in Dubai last month. The Czech appeared to have taken control of the stadium court slugfest when she broke Williams for a 4-3 lead in the third. But Williams immediately broke back ...
Bayern tune up for Liverpool with 'feel-good' goal spree
Bayern Munich warmed-up for Wednesday's Champions League showdown against Liverpool with a 'feel-good' goal spree to seize control of the Bundesliga after a 6-0 battering of Wolfsburg. "It was a perfect day - it feels good and is good for self-confidence. I think we can definitely win," said goal-scorer Joshua Kimmich with an eye on Liverpool. This was a polished display from Bayern in their final match before hosting Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in the last 16, return leg following a goalless draw at Anfield. Bayern ran riot in Munich as Robert Lewandowski led the way with two goals as Serge Gnabry, James Rodriguez and Kimmich also netted. "I am very pleased," said head coach Niko Kovac with Bayern back on top of the Bundesliga for the first time since September on goal difference ahead of Borussia Dortmund. "At no time were we in trouble, we could have scored more and now we are leaders - which is where we want to stay. "We have another important game on Wednesday, that's what we want ..
Warner smacks century on return from elbow surgery
David Warner smashed a rapid-fire century for his Sydney club side on his return from elbow surgery, reinforcing his destructive abilities ahead of the World Cup in England. The opener plundered seven sixes and four fours in his 77-ball onslaught for Randwick-Petersham, better known as the Randy Petes, in a one-day game against Penrith that they lost. He was finally caught during Saturday's match, in front of a few dozen fans, off the bowling of 18-year-old left-armer Henry Railz, the Cricket Australia website reported. Year-long ball-tampering bans from state and international for Warner and former Australian skipper Steve Smith run out on March 28. They were both left out of Australia's squad on Friday for the upcoming one-day series against Pakistan despite being eligible for the final two games. Selector Trevor Hohns said they would be better served easing their way back at the Indian Premier League, which gets under way this month. Both men were forced to pull out of the ...
Piatek 'kung fu' goal rescues Milan at Chievo
Krzysztof Piatek struck again to rescue a 2-1 win for AC Milan at bottom club Chievo on Saturday, keeping their Champions League push firmly on track, but the Polish striker was accused of scoring with a 'kung fu' kick. Piatek joined Milan from Genoa in January and has now scored eight goals in nine matches, as the club notched up a fifth straight league win to remain unbeaten since before Christmas. Returning from injury, Lucas Biglia opened with a curling free kick after 31 minutes in Verona. It was just his second goal for Milan and first since February last year. Finnish midfielder Perparim Hetemaj got his head to the end of Leris cross to pull the hosts level four minutes before the break. But once again Piatek proved crucial, scoring the winner after 57 minutes in controversial circumstances. The 23-year-old met Samu Castillejo's header amid a goalmouth scramble, during which the Pole looked to have struck a Chievo player while attempting an overhead kick. A VAR review confirmed
Skipper Marcelo injured as Lyon stumble before Barca trip
Lyon's stand-in captain Marcelo left the field with a leg injury as his side struggled to a 2-2 draw at Strasbourg on Saturday, just days away from the Champions League last 16 second leg at Barcelona. Bruno Genesio's side head to the La Liga giants with the tie finely balanced at 0-0 after the first leg in France but the Brazilian defender is a doubt for Wednesday's fixture. "It's too early to know if he'll play against Barcelona. He has a little issue with his hamstring. We'll do everything we have to so he plays, but we have to wait until Sunday," Genesio told Canal+. Genesio added he plans to talk to the club's doctor after extra tests are carried out on the centre-back on Sunday. Moussa Dembele scored twice for Lyon at the Stade de la Meinau before Ludovic Ajorque claimed a double of his own in the space of 60 seconds during the second half. Club skipper Nabil Fekir, forward Bertrand Traore, attacker Memphis Depay as well as midfielder Tanguy Ndombele started on the bench as ...
Sterling hat-trick takes City four clear, Southampton stun fading Spurs
Raheem Sterling's rapid second-half hat-trick moved Manchester City four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Watford as Tottenham's hopes of a top-four finish faltered again in a 2-1 defeat to Southampton. The Saints' spirited second-half comeback ensured they remain two points above the relegation zone despite Cardiff's 2-0 win over West Ham, while victory for Brighton and Newcastle also boosted their survival hopes on Saturday. City and Sterling had fortune on their side to end Watford's resistence after a goalless first-half. A minute into the second period Sterling was initially flagged offside as Daryl Janmaat's attempted clearance ricocheted off the England winger and into the net. However, after a long discussion with his assistant, referee Paul Tierney awarded the goal because Janmaat's intervention meant Sterling was onside. "The first goal will be debated. I don't like this situation but it is what it is. I'm sorry if it was offside but we ...
Messi and Suarez lead Barca to Rayo victory
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez might have been rested but instead both played and scored as Barcelona came from behind to beat Rayo Vallecano, ahead of their crunch Champions League second leg against Lyon. Raul de Tomas' scintillating strike gave struggling Rayo a surprise lead at the Camp Nou but Messi converted a penalty and Suarez finished a brilliant passing move to seal a 3-1 win, after Gerard Pique had headed in an equaliser on Saturday. When Barca kicked off, Atletico Madrid had just completed their own 1-0 victory over Leganes, although Diego Simeone was more cautious, resting Antoine Griezmann, Alvaro Morata and Saul Niguez, with Tuesday's trip to Juventus in mind. "It is normal when there is an important game on Tuesday," said Simeone, who substituted Griezmann at half-time. "He was not injured, he had just given all that he had to give." There was always a risk that La Liga's top two might take their eye off the ball, given Barcelona's last 16-tie with Lyon hangs in the ...
Indian men hold England in world team chess
Grandmaster S P Sethuraman showed his true mettle crushing Gawain Jones as Indian men drew with another higher ranked team, England, in the fifth round of the World Team Chess Championship here Saturday. Krishnan Sasikiran suffered a rare defeat with white pieces on the second board against Luke McShane after B Adhiban and Surya Shekhar Ganguly had played out a draw with Michael Adams and David Howell with black pieces respectively. After Sasikiran's loss it was left to Sethuraman and the way he responded was splendid as the Indian team remained undefeated in the biennial premier team competition. With four rounds still to come, Russian men defeated Kazakhstan 3-1 to take their tally up to nine points out of a possible 10 match points. India and England share the second spot on seven points each while the United States follow them a half point behind. Iran and China are on their way to resurrection as they share the fifth spot jointly on five points apiece and Kazakhstan and Sweden ...
ISL: Goa's 5-star show good enough for final spot
A mesmerising attacking performance by FC Goa virtually blew Mumbai City FC out of the Indian Super League semi-final tie with the scoreline reading 5-1 win, here on Saturday.
I-League winning coach Nawas calls for unified league
Chennai City's I-League-winning coach Akbar Nawas Saturday called for an unified league with 20 teams, saying it would "benefit" the national team. Uncertainty looms over I-League's future with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) mulling bringing the league's top teams into the ISL fold. "I hope we are there next season. It is not for me to comment. I think there should be a unified league with 20 teams. The national team would benefit more. Every professional player should play at least 45 games a season," said Nawas. Chennai City were crowned champions of the 12th I-League following a 3-1 victory over Minerva Punjab in one of the last round matches here. Nawas gave all the credit to his players after finishing on top of the table with 43 points from 20 matches. "All credit to the players. They showed their character today. They helped each other and they delivered. There was a lot of pressure. During the half time, I told them that during every single attack we should look for .
ISL semis: Fall's twin strike guides Goa to 5-1 win over Mumbai
Senegal's Mourtada Fall struck twice as FC Goa registered a dominating 5-1 victory against Mumbai City FC in the first-leg second semi-final of the Indian Super league here Saturday. While Fall (39th and 58th minute) struck on either side of the break, Jackichand Singh (31st minute), Ferran Corominas (51st minute) and Brandon Fernandes (82nd minute) were the other goal-scorers as Goa continued their unbeaten run against Mumbai this season. Earlier in the league stage, Goa had beaten Mumbai twice. For Mumbai, Brazilian striker Rafael Bastos scored the lone goal in the 20th minute at the Mumbai Football Arena in suburban Andheri. Mumbai, bolstered by the return of defender Joyner Monte Lourenco, began on an aggressive note. In the 7th minute, Arnold Issoko took a running shot from outside the box, which bounced in front of Goa keeper Naveen Kumar, who pushed it to the corner. The aggression reaped dividends for Mumbai as Bastos slotted in the 20th minute to give Mumbai the lead. Issoko .
Double crown for Bendre, Nidhi wins women's title
Lucky loser Anvit Bendre from Pune won a memorable double crown by winning the men's singles and doubles titles in the Dhoot Transmission Poona Club AITA open tennis championships here on Saturday. In the men's well-contested singles final, local lad Bendre stopped Delhi's second-seeded Kunal Anand 7-5, 1-6, 7-6(5) to win his first title of this season. In the doubles final, Bendre teamedup with Rohan Bhatia and clinched a 2-6, 6-4, 10-5 victory over Parikshit Somani and Suresh Dakshineshwar. In the women's singles final, seventh-seeded Nidhi Chilumula of Hyderabad outlasted fourth-seeded Soha Sadiq of Karnataka 6-4, 6-0 in 1 hour and 30 minutes. It was Nidhis first singles title of this season. In the women's doubles final, Vaidehi Chaudhariteamed up with Telangana's Sravya Chilakalapudi to clinch a4-6, 6-1, 10-5 win over Humera Shaikh and Sara Yadav. The men's singles winner received Rs 23,400 and 35 AITA points while the runners-up got Rs 16,200 and 25 AITA ...