Page 502 - Sports
Djokovic eyes record sixth Indian Wells Masters title
Doubt is a distant memory for Novak Djokovic as the world number one returns to Indian Wells on top of the tennis world, one year after his shock loss to qualifier Taro Daniel. Djokovic is making his first start since winning his third Grand Slam title on the trot at the Australian Open in January. He said he wasn't fully recovered from elbow surgery when he opted to compete in the California desert last year, but it's not a decision he regrets given the events that followed in 2018. "I definitely wasn't ready to compete at this level last year," the Serb said Thursday as he looked forward to his title defense in the elite Masters series event. "I was kind of convincing myself that I was, but I truly wasn't. "I know most of my team members at the time were against me playing in Indian Wells and Miami because it was too early after the surgery. "I could have, should have made a different decision, but I believe it also taught me some valuable lessons that helped me to create amazing ...
Australia to play Fed Cup semi on Brisbane hardcourts
Australia will play its Fed Cup semi-final against Belarus on the hardcourts of Brisbane in the first meeting between the two countries. The Ashleigh Barty-led Australians booked their place in the last four with a 3-2 win over the United States away in February, while Belarus thrashed Germany 4-0. The April 20-21 clash between the two nations will take place at the Pat Rafter Arena, the venue for the annual Brisbane International. There had been some speculation that the tie could be played on clay ahead of the European clay season, but hardcourts have instead been picked. "The whole team, led by Ash (Barty) worked hard for the win over the USA and I can honestly say that winning the tie was one of the highlights of my career," said Australia skipper Alicia Molik late Thursday. "Belarus has a group of incredibly strong players and we expect them to be tough. But we also know we'll have terrific support from the fans and look forward to a great turnout in Brisbane." Belarus is ...
Venus out-lasts Petkovic to advance at Indian Wells
Former world number one Venus Williams emerged from a back-and-forth battle with a 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 victory over German Andrea Petkovic to reach the second round at Indian Wells. The US veteran said she wasn't feeling her best, and was at a loss for words to explain the win on Thursday. "I don't know honestly. I'm still trying to figure it out," said Williams, who closed out the first set after a visit from the trainer, before Petkovic had the second set all her own way. Williams was broken as she served for the match at 5-2 in the third, wasting one match point. Petkovic had a game point to extend the match before Williams broke her in the final game seal the victory. "Every day is not your best day but that doesn't mean the heart and desire aren't there," Williams said. "I'm just happy things went my way in the third set. It got really close there. Williams was playing her first match since a third-round loss to then world number one Simona Halep at the Australian Open. "I haven't ...
Rain washes out play on day one of NZ-Bangladesh second Test
Persistent rain ruled out any play on day one of the second Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh in Wellington on Friday. Further showers were forecast for Saturday morning, with the weather expected to improve later in the day. New Zealand lead the three-match series after winning the first Test in Hamilton by an innings and 52 runs.
Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar dropped from highest category of central contracts
Senior opener Shikhar Dhawan and pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar were on Thursday dropped from the highest category of central contracts for India players while young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant was rewarded with an entry into the A category. The BCCI announced the annual contracts late on Thursday night with Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar, who no longer are certainties in all three formats, being dropped from the A+ category where a player gets a retainer of Rs 7 crore. India skipper Virat Kohli, ODI vice-captain Rohit Sharma and pacer Jasprit Bumrah are the only three players in the A+ category. Dhawan's contract being downgraded is not a surprise considering he is no longer a part of the Test set-up and has had an ordinary last three months in the limited overs format. Pant, on the other hand, has been rewarded for his good show in Test cricket and has jumped directly into the A group after being ignored last year. The A category players get richer by Rs 5 crore. The southpaw has been ...
Dhawan likely to be dropped from top category of Central Contracts
Senior opener Shikhar Dhawan, in all likelihood, has been dropped from the top most category of the latest Central Contracts list for India players, while young Rishabh Pant was rewarded with an entry into the A category. The BCCI has not released the list officially as three CoA members have not yet signed. The Elite list is set to comprise only three players ---skipper Virat Kohli, his limited overs deputy Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. Dhawan, who is no longer a part of the Test set-up and had a poor last three months in limited overs format, has been reportedly demoted from A plus to A category. The A plus category players get a yearly retainer fee of Rs 7 crore, while A category players get richer by Rs 5 crore. It has been learnt that along with Dhawan, seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has also fallen off the radar as an all format player, is also not in the elite list. Pant, the young wicketkeeper batsman, has been rewarded for his good show in Test cricket and has jumped ...
Troubled Real Madrid suffers host of injuries
Real Madrid's woes after the club's shocking exit from the Champions League round of 16 continued on Thursday as the team reported that defender Dani Carvajal and midfielder Lucas Vazquez are expected to miss action for weeks due to injury.
Indian men beat Egypt, Women beat Armenia
Grandmaster B Adhiban crushed higher-rated Amin Bassem on the top board as Indian men cruised to a 3.5-0.5 victory over Egypt in the third round of World teams chess championship here. Continuing their third outing without Tania Sachdev, the Indian eves also had a fine day in the office as they defeated Armenia 2.5-1.5 to remain in contention for a medal. Backed by an excellent result, the Indian men jumped to joint second spot in rankings on five points out of a possible six match points and they now only trail top seeds Russia that won over defending champion China by a minimal 2.5-1.5 margin. With Russia on six points, England, United States and India now share the second spot jointly on five match points apiece. Iran and Kazkhstan come next in line on three points each, while China is currently on the seventh spot with just two points from three matches. Azerbaijan is the other high-profile team on just one point on the eighth spot while the local hopefuls Kazakhstan and Egypt ...
'Razor-slashing' footballer banned for life in Turkey
A Turkish footballer was banned for life on Thursday after being accused of slashing rival players with a razor blade during a third division match last week. The attacks which have shocked football-mad Turkey were carried out by Mansur Calar of Amedspor, based in the Kurdish-majority city of Diyarbakir, with four men lodging complaints after claiming they suffered cuts. Video footage from the game purportedly shows the footballer holding what appears to be a razor blade, filmed when the teams lined up ahead of Saturday's match. One of them, Ferhat Yazgan, posted pictures of his scarred neck on his Instagram account. A Turkish court on Monday granted Calar's conditional release ahead of legal proceedings against him, but on Thursday the Turkish Football Federation banned him for four years, which is technically increased to a lifetime ban. Calar's club Amed SF were ordered to play a game behind closed doors and the player was also fined 4,000 euros. Sakaryaspor said there had been a ..
ISL: NorthEast scalp Bengaluru with late goal
NorthEast United FC rode a late penalty from Juan Mascia to clinch a dramatic 2-1 win against Bengaluru FC in the first leg of the Indian Super League (ISL) semi-finals here on Thursday.
TFA ties up with Atletico, names Santamarina as coach
The Tata Football Academy (TFA) has tied up with La Liga giants Atletico de Madrid and appointed Carlos Santamarina as the head coach. Santamarina has been involved with Atletico Madrid's youth coaching set up, which includes development and coaching of kids in the age group of U-15, U-14, U-13 and U-12. Santamarina also has previous experience of playing as a footballer in various Spanish third division sides, a statement said. "I am excited to take over this new role. I am keen to provide the talented kids the best platform to nurture their interests and develop as footballers and human beings. I would also like to inculcate the mentality and the technical aspect of the strong youth system that Atletico de Madrid has been nurturing over the years," Santamarina said. "This is just the beginning of the vision we have for Tata Football Academy and Atletico de Madrid's partnership. A seasoned coach like Carlos (Santamarina), coming from Spain, will be the perfect catalyst for the TFA ...
Saina, Srikanth advance at All England Championship (Third Lead)
Indian stars Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth entered the quarter-finals of the women's and men's singles categories respectively at the All England Championship badminton tournament here on Thursday.
Dramatic winner gives NorthEast wings to fly
NorthEast United FC scripted an incredible 2-1 victory over table-toppers Bengaluru FC in the first leg of the semifinal clash of the Indian Super League (ISL) here Thursday. In four attempts since last season, NorthEast United were the second best side, but when it mattered most, the hosts turned it around majestically at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. The second leg will be played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru on March 11. Bengaluru struggled to make an impact in the attacking third and paid the price in the first half as Redeem Tlang (20th) put the hosts in front. An improved second-half from the visitors culminated in a goal by Xisco Hernandez (82nd). But a late penalty from Juan Mascia (90+3rd) handed the advantage back to Eelco Schattorie's side. NorthEast, however, were dealt a huge blow as Bartholomew Ogbeche and Rowllin Borges were forced off the field at the end of the first half due to injuries. NorthEast took control of the game and pressed Bengaluru high .
TFA announces tie up with Atletico, ropes in Santamarina as coach
The Tata Football Academy (TFA) on Thursday announced a tie up with Spanish La Liga giants Atletico de Madrid in which Carlos Santamarina was appointed the head coach.
Saina, Srikanth enter quarterfinals of All England Championships
Top Indian shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth had to toil hard to seal their places in the quarterfinals of the USD 1 million All England Championships here Thursday. While Saina rallied her way to a 8-21 21-16 21-13 win over Denmark's Line Hjmark Kjaersfeldt in a 51-minute contest, seventh seed Srikanth recovered from a mid-game slump to register a 21-17 11-21 21-12 win over Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie, his first victory over the Indonesian in the last three meetings. Eighth seeded Saina is expected to take on her nemesis and two-time champion Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei, an opponent who defeated her in last 12 outings, while the 26-year-old Srikanth will face world no 1 Kento Momota of Japan, who has beaten the Indian five times last season. A 2015 finalist, Saina was blown away by world no 19 Line in the opening game but the experienced campaigner kept her cool to take the match to the decider and eventually come up trumps against her Danish rival. Earlier, ...
Dhoni hosts Team India for dinner at his farmhouse ahead of Ranchi ODI
Former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hosted the Indian cricket team for a dinner at his farmhouse here ahead of the third ODI against Australia on Friday. The members of the Indian cricket team attended the party at the farmhouse of Dhoni on Thursday night. The entire team along with skipper Virat Kohli was present on the occasion. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant shared a picture of the gathering at a social media platform. "Bhabhiji ruining our fitness levels?????? Super fun evening with fam-jam ! Thank you @msdhoni and @SaakshiSRawat for hosting us #goodtimes," Panty wrote on his twitter handle. Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal also took to social media to thank Dhoni and his wife Sakshi for their hospitality. "Thank you for last night @msdhoni bhai and @Saakshiawat bhabhi," he tweeted. The third ODI against Australia is likely to be Dhoni's last international appearance at his home ground.
BFI only governing body for Indian boxing, says Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court on Thursday ruled that the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) should continue to be the governing body of the sport in the country.
Al Amna promises good result against Chennai FC
After Ranjit Bajaj, owner of Minerva Punjab FC, gave an assurance to East Bengal fans that his team would play its heart out to snatch points from Chennai City FC in the March 9 match at Coimbatore, one of his players has said the match would be competitive.
Pochettino could appeal against touchline ban
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says he could appeal against the two-game touchline ban he received for his furious blast at the referee in last month's defeat at Burnley. Pochettino accepted a Football Association charge of improper conduct and apologised for the incident that followed Tottenham's controversial 2-1 loss on February 23. Infuriated by Burnley's first goal coming from a corner that he believed shouldn't have been given, the Argentine stormed onto the pitch to confront Mike Dean at the final whistle. But Pochettino was shocked at the extent of a punishment, which also included a 10,000 pound fine and would leave him in the stands for both Saturday's fixture at his former club Southampton and against Liverpool on March 31. He is still waiting for the FA's explanation and is considering his options, partly because he believes the indiscretion to be his first in English football. "It wasn't the idea to appeal. Because in my mind it wasn't a big deal and it wasn't the .
Saina advances at All England Championship
Indian star Saina Nehwal defeated Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt of Denmark in a hard fought encounter to enter the third round of the women's singles category at the All England Championship badminton tournament here on Thursday.