Ramanathan shocks world no. 8 Dominic Thiem
India's top singles player Ramkumar Ramanathan recorded the biggest win of his nascent singles career—a stunning straight-set 6-3-6-2 victory over world no. 8 Dominic Thiem in the pre-quarterfinals of the Antalya Open in Antalya, Turkey. The unheralded Ramkumar, ranked 222 in the world, brushed aside the Austrian challenge in only 59 minutes to make it to the last eight of the USD 439,000 prize-money tournament. This was his first-ever victory over a top-10 player in the ATP rankings. He will face veteran Cyprus star Marcos Baghdatis in the quarterfinal.
Shastri might apply for India coach post
Former India skipper Ravi Shastri has reportedly decided to throw his hat into the ring as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hunts for the next India head coach following the controversial exit of leg-spin legend Anil Kumble. Shastri had previously worked as India team director between 2014 and 2016 and guided the team to the semifinals of the 50-over World Cup in 2015 and the ICC World T20 the following year. Considered close to skipper Virat Kohli, the former all-rounder was replaced by Kumble, who was handed a one-year tenure till the recently concluded 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. But soon after taking India to the final of the Champions Trophy in London, Kumble decided against extending his tenure, stating that the "partnership" with Kohli was "untenable".
Indian shooters finish second at junior World Championships
India ended their campaign at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Championship (Rifle/Pistol) with a creditable second place in the medals tally and an overall haul of three gold, two silver and three bronze medals. China topped the tally with eight golds and an overall haul of 19 medals. A total of 20 countries were on the medal tally table. India picked up a gold and a silver in the team and individual sections of the 25m Pistol junior men's event, as well as the team bronze in the 25m Pistol junior women's event to shore up their tally on the fourth and final day. Wednesday will see test events being played out in the mixed format in the 10m Air Rifle and Air Pistol disciplines. Anish Bhanwala bagged a total of three medals, one of each colour, and his individual silver on the final day. On the first day, Anish had claimed gold in the 25m Standard Pistol junior men's event. On Tuesday, he teamed up with Anhad Jawanda and Shivam Shukla to total 1733 in the 25m Pistol to win gold.
Vijender to fight next pro bout in August
Indian boxing star Vijender Singh will meet WBO Oriental Super Middleweight Champion Zulpikar Maimaitali in a double title fight at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai on August 5. Titled 'Battleground Asia', the fight will see both boxers put their respective WBO titles at stake and the winner will take home his defended title along with his opponent's title. Beijing Olympics quarterfinalists Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar will also make their professional debuts on the same day, the promoters of the event announced here on Tuesday. It will be after a gap of nine years that the Haryana trio will be seen in the ring together. The last time they appeared together at the same event was the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Telangana woman selected for US cricket team
Sindhuja Reddy from Telangana has been selected as a member of the US women's national cricket team. The 26-year-old from Amangal village in Nalgonda district will be part of the team going to participate in the World T20 Qualifiers in Scotland in August. The wicketkeeper-batswoman, who had played for Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy, is hoping to be a member of the US team in the ICC World Cup in 2020. Sindhuja, who did her schooling in Hyderabad, also captained Hyderabad's under-19 cricket team. She studied B. Tech and MBA before moving to the US after her marriage to Siddhartha Reddy. The opening batswoman, who had almost given up cricket, found a new opportunity in the US to re-launch her cricketing career.
Vivo extends IPL contract by five years
Chinese mobile manufacturer Vivo extended the title sponsorship contract with the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) by five more years, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced. According to BCCI, Vivo bid Rs 2,199 crores to renew its contract, which is a 554 per cent increase over the previous contract. Speaking on the development, IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla said: "We are delighted to have Vivo joining us once again as the title sponsor for IPL for next five years. The association with Vivo has been great for the past two seasons and I am sure they will continue to make it bigger and better." Apart from the IPL, the mobile company has also acquired the rights of becoming the title sponsors of the Pro-Kabaddi League for a period of five years. The deal was announced in May 2017 and it is valued at Rs 300 crore.
Ganguly in BCCI's new 7-member Special Committee
Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly was named in the seven-member Special Committee formed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to identify the critical points in implementation of the Lodha Committee reforms. In the board's Special General Meeting held on Monday, it was proposed that a committee be formed to implement the Justice R.M. Lodha Committee recoimmendations. The other members of the panel, to be led by Rajeev Shukla, are BCCI acting Secretary Amitabh Choudhary, acting Treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary, T.C. Matthew, Naba Bhattacharjee and Jay Shah. They have been tasked to identify the critical areas of implementation before the report is presented to the board's General Body for consideration prior to its submission to the Supreme Court.
Malinga faces disciplinary action over media comments
Veteran Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga will face a disciplinary inquiry from the national cricket board for "repeated breaches" of the terms of his contract. The executive committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), which met in Colombo on Monday, said the pacer had twice violated the agreement which does not allow him to make any statements to the media without the prior consent of the board. Reports have also emerged that Malinga had made certain comments against Sri Lanka's Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara.
Murray suffers Wimbledon injury scare
Andy Murray has suffered an injury scare ahead of Wimbledon as the world number one pulled out of an exhibition match at the Hurlingham Club due to a sore hip. Murray had scheduled two matches at the Aspall Tennis Classic event following his shock first round exit against Australian world number 90 Jordan Thompson at Queen's Club last week. The 30-year-old Scot had been due to face Lucas Pouille, but his management announced that he would not take to the court because his hip was "a bit sore". The decision was described as a precaution, with Murray still planning to play the second match against an as-yet-unnamed opponent in west London on Friday.
Serena hits back at McEnroe
Serena Williams has asked John McEnroe for "respect" after the seven-times Grand Slam champion said his fellow American would be ranked "like 700 in the world" if she had to play on the men's circuit. In an interview with National Public Radio on Sunday, McEnroe said 23-times Grand Slam champion Williams was "the best female player ever" but declined to label her the best overall. Former world number one Williams, who has taken time off to have a baby, responded testily on Twitter. "Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based," she wrote. "I've never played anyone ranked 'there' nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I'm trying to have a baby. Good day sir." Williams has won the most Grand Slam singles titles in the professional era, five more than Swiss Roger Federer, the most prolific winner in the men's game. She is one short of Australian Margaret Court's overall record of 24 Grand Slams, which were split between the professional and amateur eras.
