Page 739 - Sports
Murray advances in Brisbane in latest comeback from injury
Andy Murray doesn't know how long his latest comeback can last, so he's planning on making the most of it. The 31-year-old Murray returned to competitive tennis for the first time since September and gradually warmed into it, going on a late roll to take the last four games in a 6-3, 6-4 win over Australian wildcard entry James Duckworth at the Brisbane International on Tuesday. "It's been really hard. Eighteen months, a lot of ups and downs. It was tricky just to get back on the court competing again," said Murray, who had a noticeable limp between points but didn't show many injury signs during rallies of strain from his troublesome hip. "I'm happy I'm back out here competing again." He appeared stiff and rusty to start the match but managed to chase down Duckworth's chips and drop shots and moved across court well, twice manufacturing forehand winners from defensive positions on important points. Winner of three majors and a five-time finalist at the Australian Open, Murray is ...
MCG pitch rated 'average' by ICC
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch, where India and Australia played their third Test of the ongoing four-match series, has been rated "average" by the International Cricket Council (ICC).The decision came as a relief to the MCG staff who were under immense pressure after being rated "poor" by the ICC, last year. Keeping the last year's rating in mind, the ground staff had put in some extra efforts for this year's Boxing Day match with an additional layer of sand, reduction of pitches on the square to aid more natural wear and tear, and leaving grass on the pitch, ESPNcricinfo reported.The concerns regarding the MCG pitch had gained momentum during the first two days of the third Test when India went on to pile up a massive total of 443 runs in their first innings. But an unexpected bounce in the following days negated all the apprehensions regarding the track.The "average" rating to MCG has assured that the ground would not get any demerits points.Recently, the Perth Pitch, ...
Body first, ranking later says Nadal after ankle surgery
Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal insisted Tuesday he is not chasing the world's top ranking as he prepares to make a comeback from ankle surgery, with taking care of his body a key priority. The current world number two has not played a main tour event since a knee problem forced him to retire during his US Open semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro in September. The 32-year-old had surgery on his ankle in November to remove a loose intra-articular body and only resumed training three weeks ago. He played the opening round at an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi last week, where he lost to South African Kevin Anderson, and gets his season proper under way in the second round of the Brisbane International on Thursday. The 17-time Grand Slam winner said he hadn't been worried about the world rankings for the past two years. "My goal is just to be happy doing what I am doing and be competitive all the weeks that I am playing," he said. "I want to feel myself competitive every week that I am
Del Potro to miss Australian Open due to injury
Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro said that he was still recovering from a knee injury and would not be able to play at the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam event of the 2019 tennis season.
New records set at Madrid's Vallecana 10K
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo and Kenyan runner Brigid Kosgei established new men's and women's records in the annual San Silvestre Vallecana 10K race.
David Warner ends 2018 horrors with baby news
Candice Warner, the wife of banned Australian cricketer David Warner, has revealed that she is pregnant again after suffering a miscarriage last year in the aftermath of the massive ball-tampering scandal that sent shock waves across the cricket world.The news, which came as a big relief to the Warner family after the ball-tampering incident, was shared by Candice on her Twitter handle."Being together has made us into the family we are today. We are so grateful for all the love and support everyone has shown us this year. It is with a full heart that we would like to share with you that in 2019 our family of 4 will become a family of 5. Happy new year. X," she wrote.The couple already have two daughters, three-year-old Ivy Mae and two-year-old Indi Rae.Warner, along with former skipper Steve Smith, was handed a one-year ban from both domestic and international cricket while bowler Cameron Bancroft was given a suspension of nine months for their involvement in a ball-tampering scandal .
Seven Australian players hit SCG nets on New Year's Day
Seven Australian players, including skipper Tim Paine, hit the SCG nets on the first day of the new year in their bid to get battle ready ahead of the must-win fourth and final Test against India starting January 3. "Seven members of the 14-man squad - Tim Paine, Nathan Lyon, Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris, Peter Handscomb and Marnus Labuschagne - trained under brilliant Sydney sunshine in the morning as the nation steadily rose after seeing in 2019," Cricket Australia's official website posted. During the optional session, leg-spinner Labuschagne, who is tipped to play in SCG was seen bowling to Queensland teammate Khawaja. Opener Aaron Finch, who has scored only a single half-century in three Test matches, might be axed from the playing XI and as per reports, did not bat in the nets. The other batsmen faced the New South Wales bowlers Trent Copeland and Mickey Edwards. As per the CA website, "An unchanged line-up is still a possibility, with Finch shifting down to the ...
Floyd Mayweather makes millions after thrashing Japanese boxer
Lightweight boxing champion Floyd Mayweather handed over a crushing first-round defeat to Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in a New Year's exhibition match in Saitama, Japan. The victory earned the 41-year-old a hefty amount of $9 million.The action in the ring lasted just for two minted as the champion American boxer knocked Nasukawa three times to the floor and clinched the victory.The odds in the match were, however, starkly favouring the Mayweather. While the Japanese was facing the drawback of facing a fine if he tried kicking during the match, Mayweather was carrying a 4 kg weight advantage into the match.The American, who holds a 50-0 winning record in the professional bouts and has retired from boxing, said that he has got no plans of returning to boxing. He further stated that the result of the exhibition match would not be added to the record of both the boxers."I'm still retired. I don't look forward to coming back to boxing. This won't go on my record. It won't go on ...
Justin Langer hoping to not get 'flat' wicket in Sydney
Australian coach Justin Langer is hoping that his team would not get a "flat" track in Sydney like they did during India's tour match against Cricket Australia XI. The coach said that he would like to see a proper contest between bat and ball in the fourth and final Test of the ongoing series which will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground."We're interested to see what we're going to get in Sydney ... it's been a bit inconsistent. It was very flat (for India's tour game) and it was very flat in the Sheffield Shield game there a few weeks ago," Cricket.com.au quoted Langer, as saying."We certainly hope it's not (flat). You want to see a contest between bat and ball," he added.Hinting towards his desire to get a bouncy track at the venue, the coach said, "All I'd say is all the years we've gone to India, we haven't had too many bouncy wickets, it usually spins square."Pitch condition has been the talking point throughout the series especially after the International Cricket Council ...
After Perth, MCG pitch gets "average rating" from ICC
The ICC has rated the MCG pitch used for the third India vs Australia Test as "average", very similar rating to the Perth Stadium track for the second Test. According to a report in Sydney Morning Herald,"The Melbourne Cricket Club's bid to hold on to the Boxing Day Test has been boosted after the MCG was given an average rating by the International Cricket Council following India's 137-run win. As per reports, the ICC confirmed the rating on Tuesday, a marked improvement from the three demerit points that they earned after last year's drawn Ashes Test. A rating of average means that the ground does not get demerit points from ICC. Under ICC rules, a venue loses international status if it tallies five demerit points over a rolling five-year period. The MCG track came under scanner after it took India nearly two days to post 443 runs even premier batsman Cheteshwar Pujara attributed their sedate batting to the nature of the track. However when India bowled during the last three days, ..
Nasri completes move to West Ham as doping ban ends
Former France midfielder Samir Nasri has completed his expected move to Premier League team West Ham on a deal to the end of the season after he finished a doping ban. The Hammers on Monday announced the signing of the 31-year-old Nasri, who is available to play from Tuesday after an 18-month ban for receiving an intravenous treatment at a Los Angeles clinic in breach of the World Anti-Doping Agency's rules. Nasri has been without a club since leaving Antalyaspor of Turkey in January and previously played in the Premier League for Arsenal and Manchester City, the latter under now West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini. He has been training with West Ham and there is an option to extend his stay beyond the end of the season. "I am very pleased to welcome Samir to West Ham United," Pellegrini said on whufc.com. "He is a player I obviously know well from our time together at Manchester City and I am happy to be working with him again. He has been working very hard here in recent weeks to build .
Fulham to act after Kamara racially abused on social media
Fulham says it will take the "strongest possible action" after Aboubakar Kamara was racially abused on social media following his penalty miss on Saturday for the Premier League team. The forward was criticized for refusing to allow the club's designated penalty-taker, Aleksandar Mitrovic, to take a spot-kick during the 1-0 win over Huddersfield while the game was still goalless, and then failing to score. Mitrovic scored in stoppage time to secure a crucial victory but Kamara was later abused on social media and Fulham has promised to act. "We are aware that numerous damaging and hurtful comments have been posted on Aboubakar Kamara's social media account, and as a club that prides itself on our respect and civility, we condemn anyone who may be associated with this repulsive activity," the club said in a statement. "This is not representative in the least of genuine Fulham supporters, many of whom have posted messages of support and encouragement to the player.
Kante growing into new role with Chelsea
N'Golo Kante insists he is finally growing into his new role in Chelsea's midfield as the France star prepares for Wednesday's clash with Southampton. Kante earned a reputation as the world's best defensive midfielder after playing a key role in Chelsea and Leicester's Premier League title triumphs, as well as France's World Cup victory. But the 27-year-old has had to adapt to a change of position this season under new Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri. Sarri, who replaced Antonio Conte in the close-season, brought Jorginho with him from Napoli to play the pivotal midfield role in front of the defence that used to be Kante's domain. Sarri believes Jorginho's superior passing makes him more suited to launching Chelsea's attacks than Kante, who is now operating in a slightly more advanced role on the right of midfield. Kante has sometimes looked out of sorts in his different position this season, but he showed signs of getting to grips with it on Sunday, scoring the winner at Crystal ...
Sanchez eager for return to free-scoring United - Solskjaer
After scoring 12 goals in three games under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United could add another weapon to their attacking arsenal at Newcastle on Wednesday, with Alexis Sanchez set to return from injury. The Chilean has been sidelined by a hamstring injury for the past month, meaning he missed the final days of Jose Mourinho's reign in charge at Old Trafford. Sanchez was signed to much fanfare last January from Arsenal on reportedly the most lucrative contract in Premier League history, but has so far failed to deliver on expectations, scoring just four goals in 30 appearances. However, Solskjaer believes the more positive approach he has adopted in wins over Cardiff, Huddersfield and Bournemouth to begin his temporary spell in charge until the end of the season will suit Sanchez's game. "He's a player that would benefit from the rotation (of positions) and movements, and the more chances you create, the more times you get the ball into the final third, he'll ..
DMRC extends first coach 'Woman only' regulation to all routes, Red line exempted
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced on Monday that first coach in the moving direction of all trains will be reserved for ladies from January 1, 2019, except the Red Line.The new system has been introduced to ensure more convenience and smooth transition to commuters and maintain uniformity among all the metro stations across the DMRC network.The similar measure will also be implemented in the Red Line as well once it is extended up to Ghaziabad, said DMRC.Till 2018, the first and the last coach at the terminal stations of Line 1 (Red Line-Dilshad Garden to Rithala), Line 5 (Green Line- Inderlok/Kirti Nagar to Brig. Hoshiar Singh), Line 6 (Violet Line- Kashmere Gate to Raja Nahar Singh), Line 7 (Pink Line- Majlis Park to Mayur Vihar Pkt-1 and Trilokpuri-Sanjay Lake to Shiv Vihar) and Line 8 (Magenta Line-Botanical Garden to Janakpuri West) were alternately used as ladies coach in the Up and Down lines, respectively.DMRC also stated that the floor graphics and the 'Women .
PKL 6: UP thrash Delhi 45-33
In a completely one-sided affair, UP Yoddhas thrashed Dabang Delhi 45-33 in the third eliminator of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season six at the Rajiv Gandhi indoor stadium here on Monday.
Richard Pybus to become Windies' head coach
West Indies' high-performance director Richard Pybus on Monday agreed to become the head coach of the Caribbean team.The head coach position had been vacant ever since Stuart Law resigned less than two years into his job as he signed a four-year contract with the English county team Middlesex.Pybus, who will be replacing the interim coach Nic Pothas, will sign the contract that will effectively run until the 2019 Test series against India, which follows the ODI World Cup in England, ESPNcricinfo reported.The fielding coach Pothas was made interim head coach for the recent tour of Bangladesh that followed Law's exit. West Indies lost both Test and ODI series, while won the T20Is.Pybus, who took over as high-performance director in February, worked alongside selectors and coaches across all levels of the game in the Caribbean. He had also served as West Indies' director of cricket from 2013 to 2016, as he chose not to renew the contract.However, Pybus' return to West Indies cricket was .
10th R R Lakshya Cup: Divyansh Panwar, Nupur Patil win
Shooter Divyansh Singh Panwar won the senior event of the 10th R R Lakshya Cup 2018, with a score of 252.3, the organisers said Monday. The tournament was organised in neighbouring Karnala near Panvel by Lakshya Shooting Club, founded by ace shooter Suma Shirur. A media release issued here said that Panwar did equal the men's world record score in the 10 meter Air Rifle category but 'R R Lakshya Cup' being only a "premier invitational tournament", it would not be recognised. The shooter walked home with the glittering silver rotating Lakshya cup. Panwar's qualifying score was 630.3, it added. According to the release, shooter Nupur Patil from Maharashtra emerged triumphant in the junior category with a final score of 250.5 and the rookie shooter had qualification score of 626.4. The tournament, having senior and junior categories and competed in 60 shot format, was a mixed event.
Sameer ensures a dramatic victory for Mumbai Rockets at PBL4
Sameer Verma and Anders Antonsen combined to help Mumbai Rockets beat Awadhe Warriors at the Premier Badminton League Season 4 in Balewadi on Monday. The World No. 18 Antonsen stunned the former World No. 1 Son Wan Ho to give the crucial lead to Mumbai after the two were tied 2-2 following the respective Trump wins of the two teams. BWF World Tour Finals semi-finalist Sameer Verma then completed the job for the two-time runners-up with a three-game victory over Lee Dong Keun. The biggest talking point of the day was the coming-of-performance by the 21-year-old Antonsen. Former World No. 1 Son Wan Ho had the upper hand in the initial stages. Showing some impressive footwork, he managed to repeatedly draw errors to race ahead to 11-5 before wrapping up the opener 15-6. Refusing to relent after that fine start, the Hong Kong Open champion ruthlessly kept attacking the Antonsen forehand wing to hit winners. However, this time his 4-3 lead was overturned by a resilient Antonsen who upped ..
Bengaluru Bulls seal final spot in PKL
Rohit Kumar put in a solid all-round performance to guide Bengaluru Bulls to a dominating 41-29 win over Gujarat Fortunegiants in the first qualifier and storm into the finals of Pro Kabaddi League Season 6 here Monday. Pawan Sehrawat continued his fine run of form and top scored for the Bengaluru Bulls with 13 raid points, while skipper Rohit Kumar amassed 11 points at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium here. Sachin got yet another super 10 for Gujarat Fortunegiants and was ably supported by Prapanjan who scored 5 raid points but it was not enough in the end. While Bengaluru Bulls have qualified for the final, Gujarat still have a chance to make it the finals when they play in the second qualifier against the winner between UP Yoddha and Dabang Delhi. Pawan opened Bengaluru' account with a running hand touch in the second minute while Sachin got a two-point raid for Gujarat. It was Sachin who kept the Fortunegiants going in the initial period of the match by picking bonus and raid ...