McIlroy, Donald miss cut at BMW PGA C’ship
Virginia Water: With less than a month to go before the U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy is still looking for his true form after missing the cut at the BMW PGA Championship on Friday. The world's No. 2-ranked golfer finished with a 3 over par 75 for the day and a 5 over total for two rounds on the West Course at Wentworth. McIlroy was one of five 2012 European Ryder Cup winners to bow out of the Tour's flagship event — joining two-time defending champion luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Paul lawrie. However, it was a different story for another of Europe's winners at Medinah.
Santos accept offers for Neymar
Sao Paulo: Brazilian club Santos accepted the offers made by Barcelona and Real Madrid for young striker Neymar, who will now decide where he wants to go. Details of the offers were not made official, but Brazilian media reported that Real Madrid is willing to pay €35 million for Neymar, €7 million more than rival Barcelona. Real Madrid also reportedly offered a bigger salary, but the player has said in the past that his personal preference is to play alongside lionel Messi in Barcelona.
Paramveer, Akshara clinch titles
Mumbai: Paramveer Singh Bajwa and Akshara Iska bagged the boys and girls under-16 titles in the 7th Ramesh Desai Memorial All India Ranking tennis tournament in contrasting style here on Friday. Bajwa, the third seed from Punjab, brooked hardly any resistance from his Delhi rival Alex Solanki, seeded fourth, and won the boys final in straight sets at the Cricket Club of India. But the corresponding top seeded girl Akshara of AP, ranked third in the country, had to dig deep into her reserves to quell the stubborn challenge of 13th seeded rival Nandini Sharma of Chandigarh, who is India no. 24, in three sets after a prolonged two hour and 45-minute battle.
IPTl to be player, TV and spectator friendly
New Delhi: Indian tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi, who has launched his ambitious International Premier Tennis league (IPTl) with the backing of a galaxy of top stars, says his event would be TV, spectator and players friendly because of its unique model. Super stars such as Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and legends Andre Aggasi and Pete Sampras have promised to feature in the league, which is expected to begin in December 2014, prior to the Australian Open. Modelled on the highly successful Indian Premier league cricket event, the IPTl, a Bhupathi-owned Globosport property, will feature the world's best players representing franchises throughout Asia. At least 9-10 cities including Singapore, Tokyo, Mumbai, Delhi, Hong Kong, Manila, Seoul, Dubai, Jakarta and Doha are in contention to buy franchisees.
Williams sisters entered in doubles
Paris: Serena and Venus Williams are teaming up at the French Open for the first time in three years. The sisters received a doubles wild card from the tournament on Saturday, allowing them to play in that event after skipping it in 2011 and 2012. It's only the fourth time they'll be a pair at Roland Garros. They won the French Open doubles title in 1999 and 2010, while losing in the third round in 2009. PNS/Agencies