Page 684 - Sports

Battling Murray crashes out as Federer, Nadal fight on

A battling Andy Murray bowed out of the Australian Open at the first hurdle Monday, but it was business as usual for ruthless Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal who joined Caroline Wozniacki in round two. The Scottish five-time Melbourne Park finalist gave it everything he had and showed glimpses of the form that won him three Grand Slams, but his ailing body let him down during a gutsy 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (4/7) defeat to 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut. Murray tearfully revealed before the tournament that he was in constant agony from a hip injury and planned to retire this year. The 31-year-old hopes to end his career at Wimbledon, but has admitted the Australian Open could be his last event, unless he has a late change of heart. "Amazing. That was incredible, thank you so, so much to everyone that came out tonight," he said after being given a rapturous send-off. While his tournament ended in despair, Swiss master Federer, six years older than Murray, continued his march towards a

Give Hardik and Rahul another chance, appeals umpire Taufel

Appealing that another chance be given to Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul, who have drawn flak for their outrage-evoking comments on women during a chat show, renowned umpire Simon Taufel Monday said "we all make mistakes". Pandya, 25, and Rahul, 26, have been suspended by the BCCI and sent home from the tour of Australia following their sexist remarks in popular celebrity talk show 'Koffee with Karan', which is hosted by Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar. "Look what I would say in every team and in every business and every sport, is that good people make a good team. And that we all make mistakes from time to time. We all learn as we go," Taufel, 47, told reporters on the sidelines of a local cricket tournament where he was the chief guest. "Although, I didn't see the show, I have read little bit about some of the complaints. I have made plenty of mistakes in my career and I have learnt along the way. In the show, they spoke about hookups with multiple women and being casual about it even .

Pandya, Rahul are needed for World Cup: Sreesanth

Banned Indian cricketer S Sreesanth on Monday chided Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul for their misogynist comments on 'Koffee with Karan' talk show, but also said that the team needs the "match-winner" duo for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019."I will only say that whatever happened was very bad, but the World Cup is around the corner. Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul should not have uttered the words, but they are needed for the Indian team in the World Cup because they are both match winners," Sreesanth told ANI.The 35-year-old, who was found guilty of spot-fixing in the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) and banned for life by the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) disciplinary committee, is waiting for his ban to be lifted.When asked what he will do when his ban would be lifted, the right-arm pacer said: "I would start with playing first-class cricket and try my hands at getting into the Indian team if I am good enough. If not, I would say goodbye to my cricket dream."Sreesanth, who .

All eyes on Pujara as Saurashtra take on Uttar Pradesh

All eyes will be on Cheteshwar Pujara, hero of India's maiden Test series triumph in Australia, when an upbeat Saurashtra face Uttar Pradesh in a Ranji Trophy quarterfinal beginning here on Tuesday. Pujara confirming his availability for the crucial tie is a big shot in the arm for Saurashtra, who were undefeated in Group A alongside Vidarbha with three wins and five draws. India's batting mainstay paved the way for a historic Test series win in Australia with three centuries. Saurashtra go into the must-win game high on confidence, having taken the first innings lead against defending champions Vidarbha with lead pacer and captain Jaydev Unadkat taking six wickets for 56 runs. Apart from Pujara, a lot will be expected from Sheldon Jackson who has been the team's leading run-scorer this season with 613 runs at 47.15. Harvik Desai has also been amongst runs, scoring 538 at 35.86. In the bowling department, Unadkat will expect left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja to deliver as he has .

Umpire Taufel backs Hardik, Rahul

Australian umpiring great Simon Taufel on Monday backed under-fire cricketers Hardik Pandya and Lokesh Rahul, calling for the issue to be handled with care as everyone makes mistakes and it is important to learn from them.

Khelo: Training at SAI centre aides swimmer Mondal to shine

Young swimmer Swadesh Mondal seems to have made a habit of leaving spectators stunned almost everytime he dives into pool. The Delhi swimmer achieved the phenomenal feat of winning gold medals and breaking national records in each of the five events he participated in at the National Aquatic Championship in 2018. He has already won four gold medals, including one in the relay, during the ongoing Khelo India games. Swadesh might easily seem to be a natural at swimming, but he's done his fair share of the hard yards into making himself the champion he is. "I used to travel a distance of almost 70 km daily to get to training back in Bengal. The pool in a nearby village was the only decent one in my district, and I had to get there," Swadesh was quoted as saying in a media release Monday. Swadesh didn't start off with the aim of being a professional swimmer, but then took up the sport quite seriously and hasn't looked back. He won three gold medals in his first state-level .

2nd ODI: India face must win situation in Adelaide (Preview)

After a disappointing start to the three-match ODI rubber against Australia in Sydney, India will look to bounce back in the second match at the Adelaide Oval here on Tuesday to stay alive in the series.

Rajasthan take on Karnataka in Ranji quarterfinals

A rampaging Rajasthan will keep in mind the unpredictability factor that has defined Karnataka's season so far in the Ranji Trophy, when they meet in their quarterfinal starting here Tuesday. Rajasthan have been on a roll in the group stage, winning seven games, including three with bonus points, and finishing at the top of the table with 51 points from nine outings. The hosts, who were placed third with 27 points, won three games and lost two, besides three drawn games. They beat Maharashtra, Railways and Chhattisgarh, but lost to Saurashtra and Baroda, making them one of the most unpredictable teams this season. Krishnamurthy Siddharth and Dega Nischal, who have scored 651 and 613 runs, have been the only consistent batsmen for the home team in the group stage. Nischal and Siddharath have scored three and two centuries. Siddharth and Nishcal would hope to continue in the same vein. Captain Manish Pandey and B R Sharath, who have scored a century each, would also be keen to get big ..

Maha gymnasts script golden tale of success at Khelo

Ending the tournament on a high, the Maharashtra Under-17 and Under-21 gymnastics teams walked away with the overall title in both categories by a comfortable margin ahead of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. In all, Maharashtra finished with 14 gold medals (U-17 five and U-21 nine), a media release said. The first day in the U-17 category was dominated by Uttar Pradesh. The rhythmic gymnastics all-around competition that followed saw Bavleen Kaur of Jammu and Kashmir steal the show. However, the final day of the U-17 category belonged to Maharashtra. It was the day of apparatus finals and the hosts won 17 medals which took their total to 21. Maharashtra topped the U-17 medal tally with 21 medals (Golds-5, Silver-7 and Bronze-9), followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10 medals and West Bengal with four (G-4). The story of the Under- 21 category was similar. On the first day, Maharashtra secured three medals. The women's artistic all around competition was won by West Bengal, while ...

Minaur beats Sousa in straight sets in round 1 of Australian Open

Alex de Minaur stormed into the second round of the Australian Open, defeating Portugal's Pedro Sousa in straight sets in front of a cheering home crowd at Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena here on Monday.

Ishan Kishan to lead Board President's XI against England Lions

Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan will lead Board President's XI in a three day warm-up game against England Lions in Thiruvananthapuram from January 18-20. The players involved in the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals have not been considered for selection, said the BCCI in a statement. Jharkhand's left-arm spinner Pappu Roy, rookie Mumbai fast bowler Tushar Deshpande, Andhra batsman Ricky Bhui have earned their places in the side. Deshpande, who has been injured for the better part of the season, has been called as the national selectors alongside Virat Kohli wants to increase the pool of fast bowlers. BP XI: Ishan Kishan (C & WK), Rituraj Gaekwad, Anmolpreet Singh, Deepak Hooda, Rajat Pattidar, Ricky Bhui, Himmat Singh, Mayank Markande, Jayant Yadav, Pappu Roy, Pankaj Jaiswal, Tushar Deshpande, Navdeep Saini.

14 all out: China cricket hopes stumped by record

Cricket's governing body has long dreamed of spreading the game to China, but the latest performance by its women's team is unlikely to inspire many in the world's most populous nation to take up the bat and ball. China were skittled out for just 14 runs at a tournament in Bangkok on Sunday -- the lowest ever score in a Twenty20 international match, for men or women. In reply to the United Arab Emirates' massive 203 for 3, China were bowled out in under an hour and with 10 overs to spare at the Thailand T20 Smash. Hin Lili led their fleeting resistance to the UAE's unsparing attack, top-scoring with four. The Thailand T20 Smash includes fellow cricketing underdogs Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar. It is not the first embarrassment to befall Chinese cricket against Asian nations who Beijing dominates in economic and political terms, but struggles to match on the wicket. In October last year, China's men made a dismal 26 against Nepal at a World Twenty20 qualifier, a total bested in just

Olivier sparks South Africa to sweep of Pakistan

Duanne Olivier sparked a Pakistan collapse as South Africa completed a series clean sweep with a 107-run win on the fourth day of the third and final Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Monday. Starting the day on 153 for three, Pakistan lost their remaining seven wickets for 120 runs to be bowled out for 273. Olivier effectively ended Pakistan's hopes when he took two wickets off successive balls in the third over of the morning. Babar Azam received a fast, lifting ball angled in towards his throat, which he gloved to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Azam (22) had helped Asad Shafiq add 58 for the fourth wicket. Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed was bowled first ball. Seemingly expecting another short-pitched delivery from Olivier, he was deep in his crease when he had his off stump knocked back by a fast, full delivery. With Vernon Philander gaining unpredictable bounce from a good length just outside off stump, Shafiq advanced down the pitch and was caught at second slip off a ball which ...

Murray likely to have statue erected - Wimbledon

Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray is likely to be honoured with a statue at the historic Grand Slam venue, the All England Club's chief executive told the BBC. The 31-year-old Scot -- who won the grasscourt Grand Slam in 2013 and 2016 -- announced last Friday retirement was on the cards due to a chronic hip injury. He then choked back tears and broke down as he revealed he hoped to end his career at Wimbledon, but admitted the Australian Open which began Monday could be his last event because the constant pain was so bad. Richard Lewis, chief executive of the All England Club, said Murray could well be honoured in the same manner as fellow Briton and multiple Wimbledon men's singles champion Fred Perry. Perry -- who won three successive Wimbledon titles from 1934-36 -- had a statue unveiled in 1984. "We always felt that when Andy retired, that would be the appropriate time to recognise his extraordinary career," said Lewis. "I am sure something like (a statue) will be done, but .

Berdych defeats Edmund in straight sets in round 1 of Australian Open

Unseeded Tomas Berdych beat 13th seeded Kyle Edmund 6-3, 6-0, 7-5 on Monday at the Australian Open 2019 to advance to the next round.

Klopp delighted Fabinho gives him options in central defence

Brazil midfielder Fabinho impressed Jurgen Klopp enough in central defence in Saturday's 1-0 win over Brighton to reassure the Liverpool manager he can be a reliable stop-gap partner for Virgil van Dijk. Croatian Dejan Lovren added to the problems in central defence when the World Cup finalist suffered a hamstring injury in the FA Cup defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers last Monday. Joe Gomez is still out with a foot injury although Cameroon international Joel Matip has returned to training after recovering from a broken collarbone. Klopp, though, enthused over Fabinho's performance against an admittedly limited Brighton attack which leaves his side seven points clear of Manchester City, although the champions can reduce it to four if they beat Wolves later on Monday. "He is a brilliant player and I am happy that he can play (against Brighton) -- it's now pretty clear (that he can play in defence)," said Klopp. "It's not like it came one attack after the other from Brighton. "We had the

Confidence key for Arsenal to make Champions League, says Emery

Unai Emery says his players are in dire need of a win to regain their confidence and reboot their challenge for a Champions League spot for next season. The Gunners' bid to return to the Champions League after a two-year hiatus has hit the rocks of late -- Saturday's 1-0 defeat by West Ham left them six points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea. Emery, who once again omitted 2014 World Cup winner Mesut Ozil from the squad despite his recovery from a knee injury, admitted confidence was low although they could go a long way to restoring it if they beat Chelsea at home next Saturday. "Now it's more difficult, it's clear," the Spaniard replied when asked if a top-four finish was still a possibility. "I think the most important thing for us is to recover our confidence and be more competitive. We need consistency over 38 matches. "Now it isn't enough at the moment. West Ham was a bad result. "If we can win today (Saturday) we are playing against Chelsea with a three-point maximum ...

Lahiri rounds off with 66, finishes T-43rd; Kuchar wins Sony

Anirban Lahiri rounded off the week with a four-under 66 that included six birdies and a double bogey to finish tied 43rd in the Sony Open in Hawaii. Lahiri totaled seven-under 273 with rounds of 68, 68, 73 and 66. Matt Kuchar turned in an amazing display of front-running to win the title with a final card of 22-under 258 and win his second title in three starts. He beat his playing partner Andrew Putnam by four strokes after leading by two going into the final round. In his final round, Lahiri starting from 10th, birdied 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 3rd and 9th. In between, he suffered a three-putt double bogey on Par-3 seventh. Kuchar was 1-over 36 for the front nine and that gave a lot of others a chance to get into the hunt. Then he had five birdies on the back nine and then he was comfortable and romped home to the win. After a 36 on front nine, he had a 30 on back nine. Kuchar began the week 63-63 in the first two rounds and then it was 66-66 over the weekend to become the second ...

'Not good enough!' Japan captain Yoshida sounds Asian Cup alarm

Japan captain Maya Yoshida has warned the Blue Samurai they will need to find an extra gear to challenge co-favourites Iran and South Korea for the Asian Cup title. The Southampton defender admitted Japan had benefited from two controversial penalty decisions after a 1-0 victory over Oman in Abu Dhabi at the weekend sent the Blue Samurai into the last 16. "We have to be more clinical," Yoshida told AFP after Japan's second straight win in Group F. "We should have scored two or three more. Our performances are still not good enough clearly." Genki Haraguchi converted from the spot after 28 minutes after tumbling theatrically under little or no contact. Oman then had a legitimate penalty shout waved off after Yuto Nagatomo appeared to use his hand to block a shot just before half-time. "We were a little bit lucky with the penalty we had -- and the one not given as well," shrugged Yoshida. "But the most important point for us was to get through the group." Nagatomo likened his lucky ...

Srikanth signs 35 crore deal with Chinese brand

Ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth signed a four year 35-crore sports sponsorship deal with Chinese brand Li-Ning on Monday. The former world number one, who is the only Indian badminton player to have won six Super Series badminton event, signed a four-year deal with premium Chinese sports brand Li-Ning which will comprise of sponsorship and equipment supply, a media release said. "I am honoured to be the face of Li Ning in India and globally. I love their products and I'm really looking forward to stepping on the court with a renewed vigour to accomplish few more goals that I have set for myself & keep bring laurels for my country," Srikanth said. Li-Ning has been supporting the badminton teams of China, Indonesia, Singapore and Australia and was also the official sponsor of the Indian contingent at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. It is also currently Team India's official apparel partner till the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, where Srikanth will be one of the foremost Olympic ...