Page 645 - Sports
Sindhu, Saina make winning start at Indonesia Masters
The Indian trio of P V Sindhu, Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth dished out superb performances on the opening day to advance to the second round of the USD 350,000 Indonesia Masters World Tour Super 500 badminton tournament here Wednesday. Olympic and World Championship silver medallist Sindhu opened the new season with a fighting 22-24 21-8 21-17 win over 2012 London Games champion Li Xuerui of China in a 54-minute women's singles match. The second seeded Indian will now be pitted against Indonesia's Gregoria Mariska Tunjung. Eighth seeded Saina, who had reached the semifinals at the Malaysia Masters last week, recovered from a first-game loss to secure a 7-21 21-16 21-11 win over local hope Dinar Dyah Ayustine, ranked 50th, in another women's singles match. It was Saina's third win over Ayustine. The 28-year-old from Hyderabad will next face another Indonesian Fitriani Fitriani, against whom she has a 4-0 head-to-head record. In men's singles, eighth seed Srikanth eased past ...
Pak captain Sarfraz caught passing allegedly racist comments against SA player: Report
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed could find himself in trouble after he was caught by stump mics of making what seemed to be racist comments against a South African player during their second one-dayer here. According to reports, Sarfraz made these comments against Andile Phehlukwayo in the 37th over of South Africa's run chase on Tuesday. South Africa eventually won the match by five wickets. Phehlukwayo inside-edged a Shaheen Afridi delivery for a single. He was on 50 at the time and as he ran off to the non-striker's end, Sarfraz was caught on the stump mics passing some comments in Urdu. "Abey kaale, teri ammi aaj kahaan baitheen hain? Kya parwa ke aaye hai aaj (Hey black guy, where's your mother sitting today? What have you got her to say for you today)?" Sarfraz was quoted as saying by 'ESPNcricinfo' website. Phehlukwayo, who ultimately remained not out on 69, had enjoyed a lot of luck through the innings. He successfully reviewed an on-field LBW dismissal and a dropped catch in ..
Kathiresan guides Indian women's team to second win over Hong Kong
Midfielder Indumathi Kathiresan scored the solitary goal as Indian women's football team completed back-to-back victories over hosts Hong Kong, securing a hard-fought 1-0 win in the second international friendly on Wednesday. This victory comes on the back of a 5-2 triumph over the same opposition in the first match on Monday. The Indian eves will now set off for Indonesia for a couple of more preparatory friendlies. India got off to a good start as forwards Dangmei Grace, combined with Indumathi and Anju Tamang to produce swift attacks, while the home side depended on set-pieces in an effort to inflict damage on the Indians. Coach Maymol Rocky's team earned a free-kick from just outside the 18-yard box on the 17th minute, but Ratanbala Devi's shot was well negotiated by the Hong Kong defence. Hong Kong goalkeeper Yuen Ki NG was in top form as she made save after save on both sides of the half-time to deny India the lead. However, a substitution on the stroke of half-time seemed to do
Chess players furious at KDCA's proposed disciplinary action
Contrary to the order of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), the decision of the Krishnagiri District Chess Association (KDCA) to take disciplinary action against some youngsters for playing in an unofficial tournament has infuriated many chess players.
Top two seeds Baszak, Sacco bow out of ITF juniors
There were some major upsets in store on Wednesday at the red clay courts of the Dakshin Kalikata Sansad as the top two seeds Weronika Baszak of Poland and Federia Sacco of Italy bowed out in the pre quarter finals of the girls Singles event of the ITF juniors tennis tournament.
Golfer Gursimar opens 5-shot lead in 2nd leg of Hero WPT
Golfer Gursimar Badwal, who won twice last season, played her best round in more than a year and a half to take a whopping five-shot lead at the end of the first round of the second leg of the Hero Womens Pro Tour at the Oxford Golf Resort here on Wednesday.
Anand draws with Rapport to stay in joint lead
Viswanathan Anand played out an easy draw as black with Richard Rapport of Hungary to stay in joint lead on six points after the end of the ninth round of Tata Steel Masters chess tournament here. Tackling his first of the two back-to-back black games in a row with ease, Anand had a level position on board for the major part and is now in a three-way tie with four rounds still remaining in the first super tournament of the year. Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia joined Anand and world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the lead following a fine victory over Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi. Ding Liren of China played out a draw with tailender Vladimir Kramnik to be joint fourth along side Dutchman Anish Giri who was held to a draw by compatriot Jorden Van Foreest. In the other decisive game of the day, Teimour Radjabov slipped against fellow Russian Vladimir Fedoseev and both are now at a fifty percent score with Duda Jan Krzysztof of Poland. For Anand, the Queen's gambit declined has ..
We are big underdogs, but have faith in team's experience: Bhupathi
Terming India as "big underdogs" going into the Davis Cup World Group qualifier rubber against Italy, non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi on Wednesday reiterated that his boys have the best chance of winning on grass and they also have the experience to make light of the gulf in rankings between the two sets of players.
Sharma, Bhullar lead Indian challenge in Dubai Desert Classic golf
Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar will look to build on their 2018 successes when they spearhead Indian challenge at the Dubai Desert Classic starting Thursday. Shubhankar, who was Asia No. 1 in 2018, will hope to turn his fortunes after last week, while Bhullar, who had claimed a breakthrough win on the European Tour at the Fiji International last year, will return to Dubai after a gap of five years hoping to improve on his creditable T-27 finish last week in Abu Dhabi. Bhullar, who was once ranked 85th in the World, is also looking at getting back into the Top-100 zone. He is currently the second best Indian at 141, while Shubhankar Sharma is 123rd. Anirban Lahiri, who is not playing this week on the PGA Tour, has slipped to 156. Bhullar's only appearance in Dubai was in 2014, when he missed the cut and this could be his chance to rectify that. "The game is good and I am looking forward to it. Last week was alright and let's see how it goes this week," said Bhullar. "It was ...
Djokovic delight at stroll to semi after Nishikori retires
Novak Djokovic was delighted to get back into the semi-finals at the Australian Open after missing out for two years as Kei Nishikori retired injured on Wednesday. The world number one eased into a showdown with French 28th seed Lucas Pouille as Nishikori retired after just 51 minutes when behind 6-1, 4-1 in the quarter-final. "Feels great. This has been my most successful Grand Slam throughout my career, the first one that I won back in 2008," said Djokovic, who is chasing a record seventh Melbourne Park title. "I have a lot of beautiful memories from Rod Laver Arena. "Yeah, past two years have been a bit tough with the elbow injury and everything. Over the past 10 years, I've had plenty of success here. "Australia has been really kind to me throughout my career." Eighth seed Nishikori had endured three five-set epics during 13hr 47min on court before the quarter-final clash and suffered a thigh strain in the first set as his previous exertions took their toll. After a medical ...
India coach Zeeshan predicts tough challenge vs Italy
Indians haven't played on grass in more than six months and the hosts would find it difficult when they face Italy in next month's Davis Cup Qualifiers at the South Club grasscourts, said coach Zeeshan Ali. Keeping in mind the weakness of the Italians on grass, India have opted for grasscourts in South Club for the February 1-2 fixtures which will be played in a new format in the transformed Davis Cup with the winners making a cut to the 18-nation finals in Madrid next year. "It won't be easy for our players also. We haven't played in grass for a long time," Ali said as the Indians led by non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi sweated it out for more than three hours at the Calcutta Gymkhana Club. Italy have named their squad minus the top-ranked Fabio Fognini. World number 18 Marco Cecchinato, who had shocked Novak Djokovic en route to his 2018 French Open semifinals, will be their top player. They will also have Andreas Seppi (35) along with Matteo Berrettini (54), Thomas Fabbiano ...
We're not intimidated by Italy: Bhupathi
India may be much below Italy in rankings, but their non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi Wednesday said his players will not be intimidated by their European opponents in the Davis Cup Qualifiers here next month. Keeping in mind Italians' weakness on grass, India have opted for grass courts in South Club here for the February 1-2 fixtures which will be played in new format with the winners making a cut to the 18-nation finals in Madrid next year. "Nothing can be taken for granted. We are underdogs but my boys will not be intimidated. I feel we have a better chance," Bupathi told reporters on the sidelines of the first practice session of the team at the Calcutta Gymkhana Club. "I think my boys are experienced enough that when Davis Cup comes into play ranking is not really a factor. They have all played at the highest level now, both Ramkumar (Ramantahan) and Prajnesh (Gunneswaran) have played Grand Slams and Tour events," the 44-year-old the multiple Grand Slam champion in doubles ...
Italy's Tria keeps door open to Weidmann's ECB bid
DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Italy's economy minister kept the door open on Wednesday to the potential appointment of Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann as next head of the European Central Bank, saying past stances should not weigh on the decision.
'Overworked' Kohli to be rested for final 2 ODIs & T20Is vs Kiwis
In a bid to lessen his workload ahead of the brief limited over series against Australia at home and the rest of the busy season ahead that also comprises the Indian Premier League and the ICC World Cup in May and June, the BCCI on Wednesday announced that skipper Virat Kohli will be rested from the final two ODIs and the subsequent T20I series against New Zealand.
We will also not have it very easy on grass: India coach Zeeshan Ali
Although India have been keen on playing on grass for their Davis Cup World Group qualifier against Italy, national coach Zeeshan Ali on Wednesday said it won't be so easy for the hosts considering the players haven't played on grass for a long time.
Williamson warns against knee-jerk reaction after heavy loss in series opener
Skipper Kane Williamson on Wednesday warned against a "knee-jerk reaction" to New Zealand's eight-wicket loss in the first ODI against India and said his team only needs to make "small adjustments" to bounce back in the series. New Zealand were bundled out for 157 in 38 overs at McLean Park as India returned to overhaul the target in 34.5 overs in the weather-hit first ODI here. "It is not our best performance and I think you need to look at it in small bits. It is not about jumping ... or any knee jerk reactions to our performance," Williamson told reporters. "It is about identifying some areas we need to get better at and when we get it together we can beat anybody but we are against a very strong team in India." Williamson said Indian bowlers, mainly spinners, exposed New Zealand's batting frailties on a tricky wicket. "The surface wasn't bad but different to what we were expecting. From our perspective, we should have played little bit more smartly on that surface. They perhaps ...
In-form Gursimar opens five-shot lead in second leg of Hero WPG Tour
Gursimar Badwal played her best round in more than year and a half to take a whopping five-shot lead after the first round of the second leg of the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour here Wednesday. Gursimar last shot a 68 at Prestige Golfshire in Bengaluru in the ninth leg of the 2017 season when she won back-to-back events. On Wednesday, the Kapurthala golfer, who turns 26 in a month's time, had five birdies against one bogey on the Par-72 course at Oxford Golf Resort. A big bunch of four players, led by last week's winner Neha Tripathi, Gaurika Bishnoi, Amandeep Drall and rookie Sifat Alag, trailed her by five shots with 73 each at the Oxford Golf Resort. Tvesa Malik, winner of the 2018 Hero Order of Merit, playing her first event of 2019, shot 74 and could well have been in the second-placed bunch but for a closing bogey on 18th. Gursimar, who won twice last season, began with a string of five pars before finding birdies on Par-4 sixth and Par-3 eighth to turn in two-under. On the back ...
Kohli rested for last two ODIs and T20 series against New Zealand, Rohit to lead
India captain Virat Kohli was on Wednesday rested for the last two games of the five-match ODI series against New Zealand and the following T20 series owing to his "workload in the last few months". Vice-captain Rohit Sharma will lead the side in his absence. The selection committee and the team management took the call in view of his packed schedule over the past couple of months during which he led India to their maiden Test and bilateral ODI series wins in Australia. "Considering his workload in the last few months, the team management and Senior selection committee is of the view that it would be ideal for him to get adequate rest ahead of the home series against Australia," said the BCCI in a statement. "There will be no replacement for Mr. Kohli in the squad for the New Zealand series. Rohit Sharma will captain the side in the final two ODIs and T20I series," it added. The 30-year-old on Tuesday became the first cricketer to win all three major ICC awards -- the Sir Garfield ...
Talib, Lal earn spots for national finals of Mercedes Trophy
City golfers Murad Talib and Dinesh Lal Wednesday posted gross score of 81 and 97, respectively, and qualified from the first day of the Mumbai qualification leg of Mercedes Trophy 2019. Talib carded a nett. score of 69, while Lal carded a nett. score of 74.2 to grab the qualifications spot, a media release said here. Those who have qualified will be competing in the national finals to be play at the Oxford Golf Resort in Pune scheduled from March 27-29, the release said. "I am very happy to win the qualifiers of such a prestigious event and look forward eagerly to the national finals now," Talib was quoted as saying in the release. The format of play was Double Peoria and a total of 97 golfers participated on the opening day in Mumbai. The event will see another 104 golfers compete for four remaining qualification spots for the national finals over the next two days. Meanwhile, other prominent winners included Vishal Sachdeva, who won the Long Drive Challenge with a ...
Kohli rested for last two ODIs and T20 series against New Zealand
India captain Virat Kohli was on Wednesday rested for the last two games of the five-match ODI series against New Zealand and the following T20 series owing to his "workload in the last few months". Vice-captain Rohit Sharma will lead the side in his absence. The selection committee and the team management took the call in view of his packed schedule over the past couple of months when he led India to their maiden Test and bilateral ODI series wins in Australia. "Considering his workload in the last few months, the team management and Senior selection committee is of the view that it would be ideal for him to get adequate rest ahead of the home series against Australia," said the BCCI in a statement. "There will be no replacement for Mr. Kohli in the squad for the New Zealand series. Rohit Sharma will captain the side in the final two ODIs and T20I series," it added. Prior to the Australia tour, Kohli was rested for the home T20 series against the West Indies. He was also given a ...