Bopanna is now world n0 3 in doubles
New Delhi: Touching a new high, Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna today became world number three player in the world with a jump of two places in the latest ATP ranking chart. Bopanna is behind world’s most formidable players, American twins Mike and Bob Bryan. After his Wimbledon semifinal appearance, Bopanna had become country’s highest ranked player at number five. This week Mahesh Bhupathi lost a place to be number seven while leander Paes is static at nine. Divij Sharan also achieved a career-best rank of 66 with a jump of 18 places, courtesy his title win at Claro Open with Purav Raja. Raja entered top-100 as he is placed 86 with a gain 29 places. In the singles, Somdev Devvarman continued to be highest ranked player at 128, followed by Saketh Myneni (263). In the women’s doubles, Sania Mirza moved up to 17th from 19th.
Judo Olympian Brojeshori passes away
New Delhi: Olympian judo player, l Brojeshori Devi of Central Reserve Police Force, passed away at Coimbatore. She was 32. Brojeshori was in CRPF Training Centre in Coimbatore since last two months on a Departmental Promotion Training Program. On Sunday night, she complained of stomach pain and was admitted to a hospital, where an operation was conducted. The reason of her death is yet to be confirmed as the post-mortem report is still awaited. Brojeshori participated in 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, 2002 Asian and Commonwealth Games, besides being a part of a number of international judo events. She won gold medals in the South Asian Games held in 2006 and 2010. She also won medals at national and international level.
Gianniotis retains title in 10K open water
Barcelona: Spyridon Gianniotis of Greece defended his title in a grueling and combative 10-kilometer open water event at the swimming world championships Monday, surging ahead on the final lap to avoid a sprint with Olympic champion Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia. Gianniotis clocked 1 hour, 49 minutes, 11.8 seconds in the waters of Barcelona’s harbor. Five-time world champion Thomas lurz of Germany finished second, 2.7 seconds behind, and Mellouli was third, 7.4 back. Mellouli won Saturday’s 5K race with an impressive sprint finish and he was at or near the lead for much of this race but Gianniotis took the initiative on the final lap to gain a clear lead.
Saina gets easy draw in World C’ships
New Delhi: Saina Nehwal has been handed a relatively easy draw in the women’s singles section at the upcoming World Badminton Championships, scheduled to be held in Guangzhou from August 5 to 11. World No. 3 Saina has got a bye in the first round and is not likely to be troubled before the quarterfinals where she could face World No. 10 Minatsu Mitani of Japan. In all likely Saina would cross the quarterfinal hurdle and her first real test could be against World No.1 Chinese li Xuerui in the semifinals.
Comments invited on draft Sports bill
New Delhi: Sports Minister Jitendra Singh has sent the draft of the National Sports Development Bill to the leaders of various political parties of the both the Houses and eminent sportspersons, inviting their comments on the proposed bill. The Union Council of Ministers, leaders of the Opposition in the lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, States/UTs Sports Ministers, Standing Committee/Consultative Members of MYAS (Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports) have been sent the Draft Sports Bill for their views.
Fognini triumphs in Hamburg final
Hamburg: Fabio Fognini defeated qualifier Federico Delbonis 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 at the Hamburg Rothenbaum final to lift his second career title within two weeks. The 26-year-old Italian raked in a prize money of $251,200 on Sunday and joins the world’s top 20. PNS/Agencies