Page 639 - Sports
Kvitota aims to hit Osaka with early onslaught in Open final
Czech Petra Kvitova is aiming to rock Japan's 'on fire' Naomi Osaka with an early onslaught in the Australian Open final, predicting the decider will be more slugfest than tactical masterclass. The final on Saturday features two of the game's biggest hitters in a showdown for both the Australian crown and the world number one ranking. Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova is on an 11-match winning streak and has been in imperious form at Melbourne Park, where she is yet to drop a set or even be stretched to a tie-break. The 28-year-old is jubilant about making a Grand Slam final for the first time since a burglar sliced her racquet hand in a terrifying attack in late 2016 at her home in the Czech Republic. "It's probably a bit more special because of everything I've been through," said Kvitova, who feared she would never rejoin the game's elite after suffering permanent nerve damage. But to make her comeback complete, the eighth seed needs to overcome US Open champion Osaka, one of the .
China hunts for Lippi successor after Asian Cup 'fiasco'
Wounded Chinese football was searching for a new national coach on Friday after an angry Marcello Lippi ended his reign with a humiliating exit at the Asian Cup. The 70-year-old Italian World Cup winner confirmed after Thursday's 3-0 quarter-final defeat to Iran in Abu Dhabi that he would not extend his contract. Lippi made no effort to hide his displeasure at the nature of the defeat, which came from some calamitous Chinese defending. "You cannot afford to gift a team like Iran three goals," an exasperated Lippi, fondly known in China as "Silver Fox" on account of his hair, said. Lippi, appointed coach of China in October 2016, won 12 of his 31 games in charge, losing 11 and drawing eight. He was reportedly among the best-paid coaches in world football, but the meek defeat of his ageing side underlined the limited quality of the squad at his disposal. Chinese President Xi Jinping, a known football fan, has vowed to make the country of 1.4 billion people a competitive force in ...
Umesh Yadav stars as Vidarbha blows away Ker's challenge to
: Umesh Yadav starred with a match haul of 12 for 79 as defending champion Vidarbha routed Kerala by an innings and 11 runs on the second day of the Ranji Trophy semifinal here Friday to reach the final for the second year running. This is the first time Kerala has qualified for the Ranji Trophy semi-final Yadav added five wickets to his first innings haul of 7 for 48 as Vidarbha bundled out Kerala for 91 in the second innings to seal the low-scoring contest a little after lunch on the second day of the five-day semifinal. Resuming at 171 for 5, the defending champion finished at 208 all out in 52.4 overs to take the lead past the 100-run mark thanks to some lusty hitting by Yadav (17, 8 balls, 1X4, 2X6) at No.10. However, another poor batting performance by the host despite the bright start provided in the second innings by K B Arun Karthick (36, 33 balls, 5X4, 1X6) and Jalaj Saxena (7) resulted in a swift end to the proceedings. Kerala went into lunch at 66 for 7, ...
Need to dismiss Indian top-order early: Boult
New Zealand pacer Trent Boult on Friday said the hosts will be targeting to dismiss India's top-three batsmen cheaply in the second ODI here on Saturday. India's top-order trio of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is arguably the most fearsome in the 50-over format. "As a bowling unit, we're trying to disrupt their top order to put pressure on their middle order, it's probably their secret as well. If we can get three wickets in the first 10 overs, we know what pressure that puts on the rest of the team in the shed," Boult said. New Zealand will look to bounce back from their dismal eight wicket loss to India in the opening ODI. Electing to bat, the hosts were bundled out for 157 in 38 overs as India returned to overhaul the target in 34.5 overs "We were severely outplayed the other day. I think it's obvious we know where we went wrong. Batsman are looking to right a few wrongs, come out and set a good platform and obviously put a good target on the board and see what ...
Ramos shines in Real Madrid victory
Sergio Ramos scored a brace as Real Madrid took a big step toward reaching the final four of the Copa del Rey with a 4-2 defeat of Girona in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
Saina enters semifinals of Indonesia Masters
Olympic medallist Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal entered the semifinals of the Indonesia Masters' tournament after a straight-game win over Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand here Friday. Saina, seeded eighth in the tournament, needed just 33 minutes to tame her opponent 21-7 21-18 in the women's singles quarterfinal match. In the semifinals, the 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist will face the winner of the quarterfinal match between Chen Xiaoxin and He Bingjiao, both of China.
Tata Steel Masters: Anand to clash with Duda
Pegged back by a loss to familiar foe Magnus Carlson, five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand will look to regain the lost ground against Jan-Krzysztof Duda of Poland in the 11th round of Tata Steel Masters here. It was a heartbreaking loss against reigning world champion Carlsen in the previous round and Anand now needs at least two victories out of the remaining three rounds to keep his hopes alive for a sixth title at his favourite hunting ground. After the third and final rest day in the tournament, Anand will have white pieces against Duda and is expected to go all out. The Indian has another white game left in the last round against compatriot Vidit Gujrathi. In the penultimate round another tough contest awaits Anand as he meets Ding Liren of China. Carlsen enjoys the sole first position on seven points out of a possible 10, a half point clear of local star Anish Giri. Anand, Ian Nepomnichtchi of Russia and Ding Liren share the third spot on six points apiece while Gujrathi .
First fifer at home is special: Kemar Roach
West Indies paceman Kemar Roach, who recorded the figures of 5 for 17 to dismantle England for 77 in the first Test, said claiming the first fifer at home is a special feeling in spite of the hot and testing conditions in Barbados."It was pretty hot, but I was ready to go for the team. I am happy with my performance today, and to restrict the English to as low as possible and give ourselves a big lead. I have been around for a while, and to be able to take my first fifer at home is a special feeling," ICC quoted Roach, as saying after the game on Wednesday."We had good plans. The guys out there hit the nail on the head. Today was my day, but second innings could be someone else's. The guys have been very, very disciplined," he said.Earlier in the match, West Indies were bowled out for 289 before they restricted England to a below-par 77. Going against enforcing follow-on in the second innings, the Caribbean side added 127 runs for the loss of six wickets at stumps and have built up a .
Competition within Indian team getting stiffer: Dhawan
Opener Shikhar Dhawan on Friday said the fast-tracking of Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill into the Indian team shows that the upcoming talent is "maturing" faster than ever before, increasing competition within the team. While Shaw made his Test debut in October, Gill earned a maiden call-up for the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand. Both batsmen had starred in India's triumphant campaign in the U-19 Word Cup in New Zealand 12 months ago. Ahead of the World Cup, the competition within the team is fierce, especially in the middle-order. "I think the youngsters are maturing really quickly in Indian cricket and that creates a lot of competition in the team, everyone has to be on their toes," Dhawan said ahead of the second ODI against New Zealand here on Saturday. "Someone like a Prithvi Shaw, the way he came into the Test team and scored a century and 70 runs against the West Indies, it shows that our bench strength is also very good. So even among the 15 (squad members), we have ...
Cricket Australia issues 'first and final warning' over 'It's ok to be white' banner in Perth
Three men who unfurled an 'It's ok to be white' banner during a Big Bash League (BBL) match at the Optus Stadium in Perth will receive a first and final warning from Cricket Australia.The banner was displayed for about five minutes over the railing on the top tier near the Justin Langer Stand during Perth Scorchers' innings against Sydney Thunder on January 24. The men took down the banner shortly after reportedly being spotted by security and were issued move-on notices by police, reported ESPNcricinfo on Thursday."Three people in question were immediately removed from the venue and they will be issued a first and final warning from Cricket Australia," a CA spokesperson said."Cricket Australia takes a zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour at any of our matches, which includes racial vilification. We encourage anybody who may witness this at one of our matches to report the matter to security or a member of staff immediately," the spokesperson added.The slogan, which is ...
Monaco coach Thierry Henry suspended, faces axe
Thierry Henry was suspended from his role as coach of struggling Ligue 1 side Monaco with the former French international striker expected to be quickly axed. "Henry has been suspended until a definitive decision is made," Monaco said in a statement on Thursday, adding assistant coach Franck Passi would oversee training on Friday ahead of their trip to fellow strugglers Dijon. Henry, 41, was suspended by Monaco, who are second-from-bottom in the French top division with 15 points, after the former Arsenal and France striker earned the Principality club just two league wins since his arrival in October. He took up the post with the 2017 French champions in October following the sacking of title-winner Leonardo Jardim but failed to improve on the poor start to the campaign by his predecessor. Ironically, Jardim was already being tipped on Thursday as Henry's successor as Monaco battle to beat the drop. The club's decision to dispose off Henry would have come as a shock if his comments ..
Sarri hopes League Cup final spot will be 'turning point'
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri hopes victory on penalties over Tottenham to reach the League Cup final can prove a turning point in his first season in charge. Sarri had questioned the mental strength of his squad and demanded star forward Eden Hazard delivered more on his abundant potential in the wake of a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, and the Italian got the response he desired against an injury-ravaged Spurs. First-half goals from N'Golo Kante and Hazard handed Chelsea a 2-1 win on the night to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit and the hosts prevailed 4-2 in the shootout at Stamford Bridge to set up a final meeting with holders Manchester City on February 24th. "I think that in the last three or four matches we had a problem. One problem was the motivation and the other problem was the players stopped having fun on the pitch. Now with the performance and the result we can find enthusiasm again," said Sarri. Chelsea's new number nine Gonzalo Higuain was presented to the home ...
Ramos double puts Madrid within sight of the semi-finals
Sergio Ramos scored twice to put Real Madrid on the brink of the Copa del Rey semi-finals as they came from behind to beat Girona 4-2 in a thrilling first leg. Ramos' chipped penalty gave Madrid a 2-1 half-time lead at the Santiago Bernabeu after Lucas Vazquez had cancelled out Anthony Lozano's early strike on Thursday. Girona, however, came again, Alex Granell scoring from the spot, only for Ramos to head home with 13 minutes left before Benzema added a fourth to extend the advantage ahead of next week's second leg. Ramos now has nine goals in all competitions this season and these two were key as Madrid maintained what it is beginning to look like a second revival under coach Santiago Solari. After a blistering start, Solari oversaw a dip at the turn of the year but his team have now won four out of their last five, the only slip coming in a second leg defeat to Leganes when progress was already all-but secured. "Football never lets up, now comes Espanyol on Sunday and we want to ...
Pogba is Man United captaincy material, says Solskjaer
Paul Pogba has the qualities to be captain of Manchester United, according to caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has overseen a dramatic return to form for the World Cup winner. The France midfielder was told in September by then-manager Jose Mourinho that he would never captain the club again, days after an apparent disagreement over tactics. Mourinho denied at the time that there had been any fallout between the pair, having taken the decision to strip Pogba of his role as United vice-captain. The decision was made public days after Pogba appeared to question Mourinho's approach by telling reporters that United should "attack, attack, attack". Pogba, who performed erratically for his club over the first half of the season, has scored five goals in six appearances since Solskjaer arrived as interim boss on December 19. The Frenchman made his debut for United's reserve team when Solskjaer was their manager during the 25-year-old's first spell at the club. The Norwegian said ..
Brazil given kind Copa America draw, Argentina land Colombia
Hosts Brazil were handed a favorable group at the 2019 Copa America draw in Rio de Janeiro but arch-rivals Argentina landed a tough appointment with Colombia. Eight-time winners Brazil, the top seeds in Group A, were given a pool with minnows Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru on Thursday. They will kick-off the tournament on June 14 against Bolivia in Sao Paulo. World Cup hosts Qatar, making their debut in the South American tournament as guests, were not treated kindly by the draw, landing Argentina and Colombia in Group B, as well as Paraguay. Fellow Asians Japan, making their second appearance after a disappointing debut in 1999, also face a tough task to make it through Group C as they drew record 15-time champions Uruguay, holders Chile and Ecuador. Brazil, led by coach Tite, come into the tournament looking to make amends on home soil for their World Cup 2014 humiliation when Germany thrashed them 7-1 in the semi-finals. The hosts, who will have observed with concern a foot injury ...
Dortmund, Bayern out to avoid slip ups in title race
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund resume their Bundesliga rivalry this weekend with both sides looking to avoid slipping up in the title race at home against relegation-threatened opposition. Dortmund, who are six points clear of defending champions Bayern, host second-from-bottom Hanover on Saturday while VfB Stuttgart, who are 16th and also in the bottom-three, are Sunday's guests at Munich's Allianz Arena and are hoping to avoid a fourth straight league defeat. Bayern coach Niko Kovac has a decision to make about who starts at centre-back for second-placed Bayern with neither 2014 World Cup winners Jerome Boateng nor Mats Hummels, both 30, sure of a starting place. Kovac has said Niklas Suele is the only centre-back sure of a spot in the 11, leaving the experienced Germany stars to battle for the other berth. Hummels started last Friday's 3-1 win at Hoffenheim, with Boateng on the bench, because "Mats was just a tiny bit better - we're talking a micron" explained Kovac. The race .
Olympic champ Adrian has cancer, targeting Tokyo 2020
Five-time Olympic champion swimmer Nathan Adrian said he has testicular cancer but is confident of recovery and wants to compete at the 2020 Tokyo games. In a statement on Twitter on Thursday, the 30-year-old 2012 100m freestyle gold medallist said he expects to be back swimming within "weeks" after starting treatment. Adrian, who also has four Olympic gold medals as a member of US relay teams, said his illness had been diagnosed early. "We caught it early, I have already started treatment and the prognosis is good," Adrian wrote. "I will be back in the water in a few short weeks with my sights fully set on Tokyo." Adrian has appeared in three Olympics, in 2008, 2012 and 2016, winning eight medals in total. He has also won 11 world championship medals throughout his career. Adrian meanwhile used news of his illness to encourage men to seek regular check-ups for their health. "I've realized that too often we tend to avoid these important topics, ignore potential warning signs, and put .
Milestone is part of journey: Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan whose dazzling batting gave India an early lead in the five-match ODI series against New Zealand and completed 5,000 runs said it was all "part of the journey"."This milestone is part of the journey. I am happy to achieve it and will be looking forward to scoring more runs for my team and do well consistently. Once you get the experience, you take the things with ease and you know what to do and what not to do. I back my instinct and know my technique suits. It is a mental adjustment... once I am at the pitch I create a plan in that particular moment," the 33-year-old said on Friday.The ongoing series will serve as a preparation for the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.Dhawan said competition is high in the 15-member squad as Indian cricketers especially as 'youngsters' grow up fast and create a lot of competition in the team."Take the case of Prithvi Shaw, the way he came into the Test team and scored a century and then 70 runs. Everyone has to be on their toes. ...
Koulibaly and Napoli return to San Siro after racism storm
Senegalese international Kalidou Koulibaly and Napoli return to the San Siro on Saturday, a month after racism and violence overshadowed the team's Boxing Day match against Inter Milan, for the first of a Serie A and Coppa Italia double-header against AC Milan. Carlo Ancelotti's side play an Italian league game against AC Milan this weekend before returning to the San Siro next Tuesday for a Coppa quarter-final showdown against Gennaro Gattuso's side. Franco-Senegalese defender Koulibaly was targeted by monkey noises and racist chants during the 1-0 defeat to Inter on December 26 and has not played since having been hit with a two-match ban for sarcastically applauding referee Paolo Mazzoleni. Ancelotti has warned that he will lead his team off the pitch the next time one of his players is subject to continued racist abuse. The game was also overshadowed by the death of 39-year-old ultra Inter Milan supporter Daniele Belardinelli who was killed when he was struck by a car in clashes ..
Roach sends England tumbling as 18 wickets fall in Bridgetown
Kemar Roach spearheaded a devastating West Indies fast bowling effort to rout England for 77 in their first innings and put his team in a commanding position on the second day of the first Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Thursday. At stumps England had hit back in limiting the Caribbean side to 127 for six in their second turn at the crease. However, the hosts already have a formidable overall lead of 339 runs at the end of a day dominated by bowlers with 18 wickets falling. If that trend were to continue into day three then England are likely to struggle to avoid suffering defeat inside three days, the same fate they suffered when the two teams last met at this venue in the finale to the previous tour in 2015. It will take tremendous resolve by Joe Root's side to regain their composure at the crease after being swept aside so ruthlessly first time round. Replying to the home side's first innings total of 289, highlighted by a top score of 81 from Shimron Hetmyer and James ...