Somdev wins at Miami Masters
Miami: Continuing his impressive comeback post a shoulder surgery, Somdev Devvarman erased a one-set deficit to beat world number 78 Evgeny Donskoy in his opening round of the ATP Miami Masters, here.
The 254th ranked Indian recorded a 4-7 7-6 (5) 6-2 win over his first-round Russian rival. A stern test though awaits Somdev as he next faces world number 34 Spaniard Feliciano lopez, who got a bye in his opening round. Somdev has beaten a few top-100 players after making a comeback this season. Victories against world number 39 Benoit Paire and 78th ranked Bjorn Phau were memorable ones. Meanwhile, in the doubles event, seventh seeds leander Paes and Michael llodra will open their campaign against Kas Christopher and Philipp Kohlschreiber. Third seeded pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Daniel Nestor have been drawn against Richard Gasquet and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Rohan Bopanna and Rajeev Ram face Eric Butorac and Paul Hanley in their opening round.
Jeev 15th at Malaysian open
Kuala lumpur: Jeev Milkha Singh was lying 15th after dropping a bogey on the ninth hole for a three-under, when play was suspended due to rain in the first round of the Maybank Malaysian Open here on Thursday. Only three of the nine Indians had finished their first round with Shiv Kapur and Digvijay Singh returning even par 72 each and Anirban lahiri carding a disappointing 74 including three bogeys on the back nine. Gaganjeet Bhullar and Jyoti Randhawa were one-under through nine and eight holes respectively, while Himmat Rai was one-over after seven. C Muniyappa, playing on a medical exemption, was six-over after nine, and SSP Chowrasia was seven-over after 11. Meanwhile, Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat continued his fine form to claim the clubhouse lead before thunderstorms forced the suspension. The big-hitting 23-year-old fired eight birdies and a bogey to sign for a seven-under par 65 at the Kuala lumpur Golf and Country Club. The 2011 Masters Tournament winner, Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, and China's Wu Ashun stood at four-under through 11 and 12 holes respectively. World number three luke Donald carded a two over par 74, while Irishman Padraig Harrington signed for a three-under par 69 in the Malaysian capital.
AIFF invites top European clubs
New Delhi: The AIFF has invited top European clubs like Manchester United, FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich to attend its ambitious meeting with probable investors -- in Dubai on March 31 -- and provide technical expertise to the two future corporate-owned sides in I-league. The All India Football Federation is eyeing investors based in the the Middle East to establish football teams, which will get direct entry into the I-league in return for their investment in infrastructure and youth development.The federation's ambitious plan to rope in at least two corporate-owned sides into the I-league received good initial response with 30 companies, including IPl teams owners Sahara Group and GMR, turning up in a meeting with the AIFF officials here earlier this month. Besides Sahara Group and GMR, who own IPl teams Pune Warriors and Delhi Daredevils, respectively, the other corporates include Pune-based Venky's, the owners of former English Premier league side Blackburn Rovers, and Dubai-based Dodsal Group and DSK Shivajians from Pune.
Digvijay aims to retain title
New Delhi: Defending champion Digvijay Singh believes age is not a barrier as he eyes another magical run at his title defence of the Panasonic Open India from April 4. The dashing Indian ended a 12-year barren run when he claimed his maiden Asian Tour victory by producing a grandstand finish with a 12-foot birdie putt on the last hole to pip Bangladesh's Siddikur and compatriot, Gaganjeet Bhullar to the title by two shots. Singh will be among a strong Asian Tour line-up expected to challenge for top honours at the $ 300,000 full field event.
Neha wins WPGT 6th leg
Panchkula: Kolkata golfer Neha Tripathi played a superb final round to edge past overnight leader Vani Kapoor to seal another victory in the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour 2013 here on Thursday. The victory in the sixth leg is the third of the season for Neha and with this, she overtakes Smriti Mehra in the Hero Order of Merit 2013. Neha, who had made a strong comeback yesterday, was brilliant in the final round today and once again established her dominance in the domestic tour this season.
PNS/Agencies