Page 631 - Sports
Nadal takes positives out of Australian Open thrashing
Rafael Nadal said he took a lot of positives out of the Australian Open on his return from injury, despite being thrashed in the final Sunday by Novak Djokovic. The Spanish second seed had played an outstanding level of tennis at the tournament without dropping a set until he met his arch-rival on Rod Laver Arena. And he had no answer to the world number one's booming groundstrokes and precision serve to limp out of Melbourne Park 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Nadal said he still wasn't at his best after his injury-plagued 2018. "Was unbelievable the way that he played, no doubt about that. But at the same time it is true that probably physically I was not able (to compete at that level)," said Nadal. "Five months without competing, having that big challenge in front of me, I needed something else. That something else probably today, I don't have it yet. "That's my feeling, to compete at this super high level." Despite the rout, Nadal said he was content with being able to reach the final given the .
Battle for top four spot in contention as FC Goa face Jamshedspur FC
A top-four spot not yet assured, FC Goa resumed their ISL campaign after a break when they take on Jamshedpur FC in a crucial match here tomorrow. The first defeat inflicted on FC Goa this season was by Jamshedpur FC, a 4-1 thrashing in a game where Ferran Corominas was suspended. The two sides have met three times in the ISL, and the matches involving these two teams have coughed up a total of 11 goals. While Goa won the first two meetings, Jamshedpur's win earlier this season was an eye-opener for all teams looking to counter FC Goa's attacking football. "They are a very good team, when they are at 100 per cent, it is difficult to beat them. They would be a great rival to get into the play-offs," said FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera. After the winter break, FC Goa will be raring to go particularly after making some key additions to their squad. They have roped in goalkeeper Naveen Kumar from Kerala Blasters to add vital experience in between the sticks and attacking midfielder Zaid ...
Pujara, Jackson steer Saurashtra close to Ranji Trophy final
Benefitting from an umpiring howler, Cheteshwar Pujara put Saurashtra on brink of a victory with an unbeaten hundred but walked out of the ground amidst 'cheater' boos in the Ranji Trophy semifinal against Karnataka, here Sunday. Pujara hit his 49th first class hundred and shared an unconquered 201-run fourth-wicket stand with Sheldon Jackson (90) to help his side end the fourth day at 224 for three, just 55 runs away from the victory. Hosts Karnataka added just two runs to their overnight total of 237 for eight before being bundled out, setting a 279-run target for the visitors. Pacer R Vinay Kumar provided the hosts the best possible start by getting rid of opener Snell Patel (0) and Vishvaraj Jadeja (0) without letting them bother the scorer. Abhimanyu Mithun scalped Harvik Desai (9) to leave Saurashtra gasping at 23 for three. It could have been worse for the visitors since Pujara pushed one from Vinay Kumar to edge it to wicketkeeper Shrinivas Sharath but umpire turned down the ..
Indonesia Masters: Chinese shuttlers defend mixed doubles title
Defending champions Chinese top mixed doubles pair of Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong won the summit clash of the 2019 Indonesia Masters badminton championship here on Sunday.
Samir Suhag joins La Pegasus Polo team
Top polo player Samir Suhag has joined La Pegasus Polo team as full time resident player-cum-coach, beginning next month. Suhag, who has gone up to a handicap of +6, the highest ever achieved by an Indian player, will be based out of the La Pegasus Polo Centre in Sakatpur, near Gurugram. He has also represented India in five Polo World Cups. "La Pegasus has shown great vision by opening up the first ever Polo Academy in the country and probably in Asia. It was something that someone like me always wanted and therefore inevitable that I join hands with La Pegasus Polo, to help grow the game and nurture youngsters," Suhag said in a release. Commenting on the development, Sanjay Jindal, Founder and Patron of La Pegasus Polo, said, "It is the endeavour of La Pegasus Polo to associate and partner with the best to ensure that Indian Polo becomes the best. It is with this goal in mind that we recently brought a high-goal Argentinian All Stars team to India and getting Samir on board is also .
Ranji Trophy: Pujara's ton takes Saurashtra to the brink of victory
An unbeaten 201-run partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson against hosts Karnataka on Sunday brought Saurashtra to the verge of sealing a Ranji Trophy final berth.
PCB says it's disappointed at ICC decision to suspend Sarfaraz for 4 matches
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Sunday expressed disappointment at the ICC's decision to suspend its captain Sarfaraz Ahmed for four matches for his racist comments on a South African player during an ODI match in Durban. The PCB said that it thought the matter to have been resolved amicably after Sarfaraz apologised to Proteas all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo. Sarfaraz was Sunday suspended for four matches by the International Cricket Council for his racist comments against Andile Phehlukwayo during the second one-dayer on January 22. After the ICC announced its decision, the PCB issued a statement expressing surprise at the ban imposed of Sarfaraz. "The PCB notes the ICC decision on Sarfaraz Ahmed with its utmost disappointment. PCB had anticipated that the matter had been resolved amicably between the two players and the two Boards following Sarafraz Ahmed's public apologies, which were accepted by the player, the Board and South Africa cricket team," the statement said. "The PCB ...
I-League: 10-man Neroca FC share spoils with Aizawl FC
Neroca FC and Aizawl FC played out a goalless draw with both the teams sharing a point each in their I-League tie here on Sunday.
10-man Neroca FC share the spoils with Aizawl FC
Neroca FC played out a goal-less draw against Aizawl FC to suffer a setback in their hopes of remaining in the I-League title hunt here on Sunday. The eventful game saw Neroca's Brazilian defender Eduardo Ferreira receive a red card for a dangerous challenge on Zikahi Dodoz in the 48th minute. Neroca FC, after two consecutive defeats to Mohun Bagan and Churchill Brothers, needed a win to return to title contention. However, it was the visitors Aizawl FC who threatened to draw first blood but they were unable to convert the opportunities that came their way. Aizawl missed an opportunity when their Nigerian forward Kareem Nurain's shot from just outside the box hit the post and then cleared by a Neroca defendor. The Manipur side, on the other hand, took time to settled down but later made some promising moves and breached into the Aizawl box quite a few times but full credit to the visiting side defenders and goalkeeper Lalawmpuia, who ensured that the hosts do not edge them out ...
KL Rahul scores 13 on return but India A clinch series with 60-run win
KL Rahul scored only 13 on his return from suspension but India A sealed the series against England Lions with a comfortable 60-run win taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. In a low-scoring encounter, India A could manage only 172 in 47.1 overs but then did well enough to bowl out Lions for 112 in only 30.5 overs. On a slow deck, it was left-arm spinners Krunal Pandya (4/21 in 5.5 overs) and Axar Patel (2/26 in overs) who inflicted bulk of the damage. If Axar dealt the opening blows, man of the match Krunal polished the lower-half after chipping in with useful 21 runs. Credit should also be given to Deepak Chahar as his 39 off 65 balls took India from 110 for 7 to 172 after skipper Ajinkya Rahane (0) and Rahul were dismissed cheaply at the top of the order. All eyes were on Rahul, who had a nightmarish two weeks after BCCI's provisional suspension for his comments in TV chat show 'Koffee with Karan'. Having got a long rope during the tours of England and ...
'Franchise owners reject PCB proposal to have female cheerleaders in PSL'
The six franchises of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have rejected a proposal of the Cricket Board to have female cheerleaders for the fourth edition to be played in the country and UAE. According to a source in the Pakistan Cricket Board, the PSL secretariat had suggested to the franchise owners that if they were willing to shell out USD 14000 each, it could hire female cheerleaders to perform during PSL 4, which begins from February 14. "The franchise owners rejected the proposal firstly objecting to them having to shell out USD 14,000 dollars and secondly because they felt the presence of cheerleaders would not be helpful in enhancing the popularity and following of the league," the source said. He said some franchise owners had also raised the point how female cheerleaders could be allowed in the PSL given the conservative culture of Pakistani society. "The franchise owners were assured the female cheerleaders would be wearing proper eastern dresses and would not wear anything ...
The following are the top/expected stories at 1645 hours:
The following are the top/expected stories at 1645 hours: EXPECTED STORIES: *Report of Pro Wrestling League. *Ranji Trophy semifinal report. *Report of Indian Super League match between Mumbai City and Bengaluru FC. *Report of I-League match between NEROCA and Aizawl FC. *Report of I-League match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. *Report of India A vs England Lions match.
Anand draws with Ding Liren; joint third now
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand played out an exciting draw with Ding Liren of China to move to joint third spot after the penultimate round of Tata Steel masters here. In what turned out to be a theoretical battle, Anand found some fine defensive moves to steer the game to a draw and while the Indian ace can no longer win the tournament, chances of a podium finish remain with just one round to come in the first super tournament of the year. Reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway steered clear of the field with another dominating victory over Jan Krzysztof Duda Poland. The Norwegian took his tally to 8.5 points out of a possible 12 and is now a half point ahead of closest rival Anish Giri of Holland. Fittingly, the two clash in the final round to determine the winner. The day produced three decisive games in the 14-player double round-robin tournament and making most of the opportunities was American champion Samuel Shankland who crashed through the defenses of ...
Ladakh: ITBP wins National Ice hockey tournament
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Sunday won the National Ice hockey tournament in Ladakh.The championship was organised by Ice Hockey Association of India. The ITBP defeated the Indian Army to lift the National Ice Hockey Championship.ITBP has a strong Ice Hockey team of the country. Two months ago, the team had defeated the Japanese team to lift the Ice hockey tournament. Many ITBP players are part of the National Ice Hockey team of the country. On January 16, the ITBP had won a regional Ice Hockey tournament in Leh.Total 10 local ice hockey teams divided into two pools participated in this Ice Hockey Championship which was a key attraction for the locals during the peak winter season for the last 11 days. The ice rink is located at a height of more than 11,000 feet MSL near Leh.
Not expected Sarfaraz could be banned for 4 matches by ICC: PCB source
The Pakistan Cricket Board was unaware that captain Sarfaraz Ahmed would be suspended for four matches over his racist comments when it named him to lead the team in the T20 series in South Africa, an official said Sunday. Sarfaraz was Sunday suspended for four matches by the International Cricket Council for his racist comments against South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo during the second one-dayer in Durban on January 22. He will also have to undergo an education programme to understand the issue. "We were not aware what penalty the ICC would impose on him and and when. There was some doubt if Sarfaraz would face a ban after he had apologised publicly and in person to the South Africa players including Andile Phehlukwayo," a PCB official told PTI on Sunday. Sarfraz was heard on stump microphones of making racist remarks directed at Phehlukwayo. Pakistan replaced Sarfaraz with wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan for the fourth one-dayer with the experienced Shoaib Malik ...
Saina clinches maiden Indonesia Masters title as Carolina retires hurt
Former world number one Saina Nehwal lifted the Indonesia Masters title as her Spanish opponent Carolina Marin retired-hurt during the first game of the summit showdown here on Sunday.Carolina injured her right foot after a hard landing and, despite trying hard, she could not continue playing. Eventually, she decided to pull out of the match.Saina did not make the best of the starts in the final match as her three-time world champion opponent raced ahead with a four-point lead in the first game. Carolina further consolidated her lead over the Indian shuttler as she was now leading the game 9-2.With the first game scoreline reading 4-10 in Carolina's favour, the match was brought to a forced end.With Carolina pulling out of the match, Saina clinched her first-ever Indonesia masters title.In men's singles event, Danish badminton player Anders Antonsen defeated Kento Momota of Japan 21-16, 14-21, 21-16 in the final match to win the Indonesia Masters trophy.
Saina claims Indonesia Masters after injured Marin limps out of final
Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal claimed her first BWF title in two years after three-time world champion Carolina Marin of Spain limped out of the Indonesia Masters final due to a leg injury, here Sunday. The London Olympics bronze medallist, who last won a BWF title in 2017 in Malaysia, was trailing 4-10 in the opening game when Marin decided to withdraw from the contest. "It is important year for all of us. It was not good to see at all. It is painful. I have been getting injured a lot in the last few years and to see something like this on court is really painful," said Saina, who had suffered a career-threatening knee injury at the 2016 Rio Olympics. "I know how it is mentally because when I got that knee injury at the Olympics. I was very upset. I was crying like anything. So I know how difficult it is for a player to go through such kind of injuries but the sport is like that, it is cruel." It is a creditable performance for the Indian, who had suffered a shin injury late last ...
Both BJP and Congress govts have not recognized my father's contribution: Dhyan Chand's son
Major Dhyan Chand's son Ashok Kumar Sunday said that the previous UPA government as well as the current NDA regime have both "failed to understand" his father's contribution after the hockey wizard's Bharat Ratna nomination got rejected for the third time. Ever since the rules were amended adding sports as a category for Bharat Ratna in 2013, Sachin Tendulkar has been the first and till now the only sportsperson to be conferred with country's highest civilian honour. This year Bharat Ratna will be conferred to former President Pranab Mukherjee while Jan Sangh leader and social activist Nanaji Deshmukh and music doyen Bhupen Hazarika are being awarded posthumously. "The whole world recognizes his contribution to Hockey. His statues have been installed now only in India but in UK and the Netherlands also. I think government, whether it is led by BJP or the Congress, they have failed to understand his stature and contribution to the world of sports," Kumar, himself an Olympic bronze ...
Veteran Kiwi bowler Ewen Chatfield retires at 68
New Zealand pacer Ewen Chatfield, famously known as the Naenae Express, finally ran "out of steam" as he has announced his retirement from cricket at the age of 68.The veteran bowler played his last match for his Wellington Club Naenae Old Boys. His team won the match but Chatfield's bowling did not go well as he was smashed all over the ground. After the match, the pacer informed his teammates about his retirement."It might seem silly but I have standards, even at 68, and if I can't play to those standards I thought it is time to flag it. We just had a fantastic win. We needed seven off the last over chasing 236 and we got it off the last ball," Stuff.co.nz quoted Chatfield, as saying.Talking about his bowling performance, Chatfield said, "I got slogged all over the park. I got smashed".Chatfield has a reputation of a fiery bowler but secretly, he desired to score a century. The wish, however, did not get fulfilled as he got out for a duck in his final match."I got a golden duck but .
Sarfaraz gets 4-month suspension for hurling racial remarks at South African pacer Andile Phehlukwayo
Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has been suspended for four matches for breaching the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Anti-Racism Code.Sarfaraz had made racial remarks against South African pacer Andile Phehlukwayo during the second ODI against South Africa in Durban on Tuesday.The wicket-keeper batsman was picked up by the stump mic saying, "Hey black [man], where is your mother sitting? What prayer did you get her to say for you today?" (Abay kaalay, teri ammi aaj kahan baitheen hain? Kya parhwa ke aya hai aaj tu?).As a result of the suspension, the right-hand batsman will miss the remaining two matches of the ongoing five-match ODI series against South Africa as well as the first two matches of the T20I series to follow. In his absence, Pakistan have named Shoaib Malik as their stand-in skipper.Following the incident, the ICC charged Sarfaraz with an offence under the Code, namely, "Engaging in any conduct (whether through the use of language, gestures or otherwise) which is .