Murray out of ATP tour finals
london: Andy Murray has withdrawn from next month's ATP World Tour Finals in london as he continues his recovery from back surgery. World number three Murray had an operation last month and Wednesday saw the two-time Major winner confirm what had long been suspected when he announced he wouldn't be fit to play in the showpiece event. "I'm really disappointed not to be playing this year, I love playing in front of my home crowd, it's a great atmosphere," Murray told atpworldtour.Com.
South vs Central in Duleep Trophy
Chennai: After notching up a massive win over West Zone last week, South Zone will look for an encore when they clash with last year's finalists, Central Zone in the second semifinal of the Duleep Trophy here on Thursday. The four-day tie promises to be an intriguing contest involving two skippers — Abhinav Mukund and Piyush Chawla — who make a terrific study in contrast. For Abhinav Mukund, captain of South, it is a familiar territory and his team will look to progress to the final by writing a familiar script they did against West Zone at the M A Chidambaram Stadium. Central team has decided to go in with three seamers and specialist spinner, Piyush Chawla.
Djokovic, federer register wins
Shanghai: Defending champion Novak Djokovic shrugged off a injury scare to win his Shanghai Masters opener on Wednesday, keeping alive the prospect of a mouthwatering quarter-final with Roger Federer, who also progressed. Top seed Djokovic cantered through the first set against Spain's Marcel Granollers for the loss of only two games. But early in the second he pulled up in obvious discomfort and called for the ATP trainer, who applied heavy taping to his right foot and ankle. Despite the medical treatment, the 26-year-old did not look inconvenienced as he returned to the court to seal a 6-2, 6-0 victory, hitting a total of 26 winners. Federer, who has slipped to seventh in the world rankings and faces a battle to qualify for next month's World Tour Finals in london, won 6-4, 6-3 against Italian Andreas Seppi, after a testing start.
India in Pool C in junior Hockey wc
New Delhi: India have been placed in Pool C in the forthcoming Hero Hockey Junior World Cup Men 2013 to be held here from December 6 to 15, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced on Wednesday. Sixteen junior international teams will fight it out for the title at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The tournament features pools of four followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, classification and medal matches. Pool A will feature Germany, Pakistan, Belgium and Egypt, while Australia, Spain, Argentina and France are competing in Pool B. Pool C consists of Netherlands, Korea and Canada, besides India. England, New Zealand, South Africa and Malaysia are in Pool D.
Rathore's son bags bronze
New Delhi: Olympic silver-medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore's teenaged son Manavaditya clinched a bronze as Indian shooters dished out an impressive performance by winning seven medals, including two gold, at the ongoing third Asian Shotgun Championship in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The event saw veteran trap shooter Manavjeet Singh Sandhu equalling the Asian record of 124/125 target in the preliminary stages and winning the bronze medal in the seniors category. Besides the two gold, as many silver and three bronze medals.
Dilshan to retire from Tests
Colombo: Tillakaratne Dilshan has decided to announce retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect, a Sri lanka Cricket (SlC) media release stated on Wednesday. Dilshan will be holding a press conference on Thursday to make a formal announcement. "I have taken this decision to allow Sri lanka Cricket to groom another youngster in my place," Dilshan said. "I was to announce my retirement after the Zimbabwe Test series but unfortunately the tour was postponed," he added. In a Test career spanning 14 years, he played 87 matches, scoring 5492 runs at an average of 40.98. His 16 Test centuries included a career-best 193 against England at lord's in 2011 when he was the captain of the side.
2-member committee for QBR
New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association on Wednesday set up a two-member committee of senior officials for the smooth conduct of 2014 Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay in Agra and here even as it decided to invite mostly Delhi-based 2010 CWG medal winners for the programmes on October 12 and 13. IOA Acting President V K Malhotra said arrangements have been made to accord a warm welcome to the Baton and senior officials G S Mander and S Raghunathan have been entrusted the responsibility for the smooth reception of the Baton. "The Queen's Baton will arrive on October 11 at 2020hrs at the IGI Airport and will be received by the Olympians and the officials of the IOA," Malhotra said in a statement.
Smirnov is pistol team coach
New Delhi: Pavel Smirnov, who played a role in ace marksman Vijay Kumar winning a silver medal in the london Olympics, has been appointed chief coach of the Indian pistol team on a three-year contract. As per the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) policy, the Russian will be drawing a monthly salary of USD 7,500. "He (Smirnov) will be incharge of the team till the 2016 Rio Olympics," a NRAI official said.
Dempo hold Salgaocar to a draw
Mapusa (Goa): Dempo recovered from a goal down to play out a 1-1 draw against Salgaocar in an I-league tie at Duler Stadium on Wednesday. Salgaocar took the lead in the 40th minute through Darryl Duffy. But Dempo fought back with Jeje lalpekhlua scoring an equaliser at the 81st minute.
East Bengal beat lajong FC
Shillong: East Bengal began their I-league campaign in style by thrashing Shillong lajong FC 4-0 in a one-sided match here on Wednesday. The visitors dominated the proceedings throughout and found their scorers in James Moga (20th), Chidi Edeh (45th), Calvin lobo (55th).
Chandigarh enter U-17 quarters
New Delhi: Government Model School, Chandigarh sealed a berth in the quarterfinals of the Under-17 boys' category of the 54th Subroto with a thumping 5-0 victory over an Indian School, Oman at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Wednesay. In the first session, all the action was confined to Oman half and the visitors were forced to resort to desperate defending as the local lads took a formidable 4-0 lead by half-time. PNS/Agencies