Somdev ousts Spain's adrian
Kolkata: Somdev Devvarman on Thursday celebrated his 29th birthday by beating Adrian Menendez-Maceiras of Spain 4-6 6-1 6-3 in the men's singles quarterfinals of the $50,000 ATP Challenger Tour here on Thursday. India's No. 1 tennis will face a tough opponent in Russia's Evgeny Donskoy in the semifinals but he could take solace from the fact that he enjoys a 1-0 record against him. Somdev had posted a hard fought 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2 win against the Russian in the ATP World Tour Masters in Miami last year.
U-19 World Cup begins today
Abu Dhabi: Future stars will get a chance to show their talent, potential and prowess when the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup gets underway across the United Arab Emirates here on Friday. On the opening day, four matches will be played with 1998 champion England taking on the United Arab Emirates at Zayed Cricket Stadium here, Zimbabwe facing Canada at Abu Dhabi Oval 1, New Zealand squaring off against Sri lanka at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, and South Africa and the West Indies going head to head at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Monkeygate ruined Symo's career
Sydney: Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting feels lack of support from the cricket board (CA) to Andrew Symonds during the monkeygate episode was the reason behind the premature end to the mercurial allrounder's career. Ponting said Cricket Australia (CA) bowed to the heavy-weights BCCI during the 2008 incident in which India cricketer Harbhajan Singh was accused of racially abusing Symonds during a controversial Test match. "I was told every day, every week by Cricket Australia that we had to stamp it out of the game. And (when) it did (happen), I had to make a stand against it. I followed the instructions to the letter. I did everything I was expected to do. I know there are a lot of administrators in Cricket Australia who can't say the same thing," Ponting was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press from his interview to Nine Network, to be aired on Saturday. "And that was the start of the end for Andrew Symonds. His career spiralled downhill after that because I know for a fact that he didn't feel like he could trust the people he needed to trust," he said.
Wizards beat lancers, in semis New Delhi:
Uttar Pradesh Wizards eliminated Kalinga lancers' slender chance to make it to the semifinal by defeating the debutants 4-3 in a thrilling encounter in a Hero Hockey India league match on Thursday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. With this win, UP leapfrogged Ranchi Rhinos and Jaypee Punjab Warriors to be second at the points table with 26 wins, eight less than leaders Delhi Waveriders. Punjab and Ranchi have 25 and 24 points respectively, while Kalinga follow them with 11 points, which is four more than Dabur Mumbai Magicians. In the game, Kalinga were trailing till 57th minute before equalizing and later Tushar Khandekar scored the winner for the visiting team in the 67th minute to make it 4-3.
Kalinga lancers vs Ranchi Rhinos
Bhubaneswar: Ranchi Rhinos will be competing against Kalinga lancers in the Hero Hockey India league here on Friday. Currently seated on the third position on the points table, Ranchi Rhinos will be aiming to win and move closer to secure their place for semifinals and give a tough fight to Kalinga lancers. On the other hand, Kalinga lancers will look forward to give a great performance against Ranchi Rhinos and put their full effort to win Friday's game to continue being in the race for the semifinals. Playing on their home ground with huge of support of the home crowd Kalinga lancers will put their best effort to convert the chances and secure a win on Friday to upset Ranchi Rhinos.