Somdev conquers Delhi Open
New Delhi: India’s top singles star Somdev Devvarman lifted his third ATP Challenge title as he outclassed top seed Aleksandr Nedovyesov 6-3, 6-1 in the final of the USD 100,000 ONGC-GAIl Open here on Sunday. The start to the title clash was great but Nedovyesov’s challenge fizzled out as the game wore on. The way Somdev dominated the proceedings was evident with the fact that he conceded just 10 points on his eight service games. Out of these, five were conceded only in the fifth game of the second set. Playing his fourth Challenger level final, Somdev needed 59 minutes to bag his third title and first since 2010 when he had triumphed in Izmir Turkey.
Ind seek IOC help on anti-fixing law
New Delhi: India has sought inputs from International Olympic Committee (IOC) to fine tune its proposed comprehensive legislation on prevention of “match and spot fixing” in the backdrop of such allegations in cricket. In a letter to IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Jitendra Singh has requested sharing of the body’s knowledge in drafting the bill. “Ethics have become even more important in the current context in India. Of late, there has been a spate of incidents which amount to “match/spot fixing” in the game of cricket. This has led to increased demand for greater regulation to prevent similar incidents in future,” Singh said in the letter, now made public under the Right to Information Act to activist Subhash Agrawal.
India arrive in Dhaka for Asia Cup
Dhaka: The Indian cricket squad, led by Virat Kohli arrive here on Sunday for the Asia Cup tournament which begins at Fatullah on February 25. The Indian team arrived here this afternoon from Mumbai. Kohli is leading the side in the absence of regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who has been ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a Grade I left side-strain injury during the second Test against New Zealand earlier this month. India will begin their campaign to regain the trophy, that they won for the fifth and last time in 2010 in Sri lanka, with a round robin game against hosts Bangladesh on February 26 at Fatullah. The remaining round robin fixtures for India are scheduled on February 28 (vs Sri lanka at Fatullah), March 2 (vs defending champions Pakistan at Mirpur) and March 5 (vs Afghanistan at Mirpur). The final of the tournament is scheduled on March 8.
India U-19 captain Zol suspended
Dubai: India’s Under-19 captain Vijay Zol has been suspended for one match, while off-spinner Aamir Gani has been reprimanded after being found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup quarter-final match against England. Zol was found to have breached Article 2.2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
Sociedad stun Barca, real on top
Madrid: Real Madrid moved three points clear at the top of la liga as Barcelona suffered their second league defeat in four games with a 3-1 reverse away to Real Sociedad. Madrid had comfortably seen off Elche 3-0 at the Santiago. PNS/Agencies
equalIJfrIJIJ`IJIJs in the 30th minute. That goal was 150th of the HIl 2014.
A lot actions were seen in the fourth quarter though without any rewards, requiring a shoot-out to declare the winner.
During the shoot-out, Ashley Jackson, skipper Moritz Furste and Bosco Perez-Pla scored for Ranchi while UP’s two goals came from Eddie Ockenden and Nithin Thimmiah.
Though Birendra lakra missed a goal during the shoot-out, he was declared Man-of the Match. With this win, the Rhinos pocketed Rs 75 lakhs.
Finally, it was a matter of consolatory bronze medal for the Ranchi outfit, who failed to defend their title.
During the day, Indian Premier league Chairman Rajeev Shukla and Arun Jaitley, the Senior Vice President of Hockey India as well as Board of Control for Cricket in India International Hockey Federation officials besides Hockey India ones were among the prominent guests here.