Kohli reaches 9th spot in Tests
Dubai: Owing to his decent performance in the just-concluded two-Test series against New Zealand, India batsman Virat Kohli rose to his career-best ninth position in the latest ICC Test rankings issued here on Wednesday. Kohli, who made 214 runs in four innings, broke into top-10 for the first time in his career and joined compatriot Cheteshwar Pujara, who slipped a rung to be on seventh spot. Kohli jumped two places following his knocks of 38 and 105 not out in the Wellington Test, which ended in a draw. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin slipped two places to be at number 10 and is still the highest-ranked Indian bowler ahead of left-arm tweaker Pragyan Ojha (12th) in Test bowlers rankings.
Nadal’s triumphant Rio return
Rio De Janerio: Top-ranked Rafael Nadal, playing for the first time since losing last month's Australian Open final, beat fellow Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-3, 7-5 at the Rio Open. Nadal skipped Buenos Aires last week due to the nagging back injury that hindered his bid for a 14th Grand Slam singles crown last month at Melbourne, where he dropped the final to Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka. That left his comeback for Rio's USD 1.3 million ATP and WTA event, one he hopes will launch a clay-court campaign that concludes with a ninth career French Open crown. It was the 800th match of Nadal's career, making him the sixth active player to reach the mark. In improving to 670-130, Nadal joined Roger Federer, lleyton Hewitt, Tommy Haas, David Ferrer and Nikolay Davydenko with at least 800 appearances.
Jeev to miss golf tourney in SA
Mumbai: India's ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, who has been struggling with a right shoulder rotator cuff injury, said he will skip the Tshwane Open in South Africa scheduled later this month to rest and regain his fitness ahead of the season without undergoing surgery. "I am not going to South Africa next week because I am not fit enough. I am going to practice for two weeks after this, get better and then try Morocco (Hassan II) and then try take a month off, after that," Jeev said. "With the month off, I am sure with the medicine, I should get better and I can work harder on my game also," he said here.
Gangjee sizzles with eight-under
Mumbai: Rahil Gangjee of AVT Kolkata stole the limelight on the opening day as he fired a new course record of 62 (eight-under) in round one of the louis Philippe Cup at the par-70 Bombay Presidency Golf Club, Chembur here. His blazing effort bettered the previous record of 63 (seven-under) set by Gurbaaz Mann in 2010. The 35-year-old Gangjee's remarkable feat ensured that the Kolkata team finished the day in front.
Advani, mehta to play China Open
New Delhi: Eight-time world champion Pankaj Advani and Indian Open finalist Aditya Mehta have qualified for the China Open pro-ranking snooker tournament to be held in March-April this year in Beijing, China. Advani registered a thrilling 5-3 win over local candidate Chen Zhe in the final qualifying round to book his place in the pro season's penultimate world ranking event to be played from March 31 to April 6. The Bangalore cueist defeated Zhe in a high-quality game to move into the main draw. The event will see world's top 64 cueists fighting it out for the top honours. India's numero uno snooker player Aditya put paid to the hopes of Switzerland's Alexander Ursenbache. PNS/Agencies
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But City couldn't and, after a quiet first half by his standards, Messi's key contribution came after the break, scoring his 66th Champions league goal in the 54th minute, putting him just five from leveling Raul Gonzalez's record.
Aside from Xavi firing over and Dani Alves skewing an effort wide, City looked more likely to find the net at times in the second half despite chasing shadows so often.
Then a lightening move down the right flank was completed by Dani Alves putting the ball through Hart's legs from a tight angle, giving Barca a comfortable lead as it chases a first European title since 2011.