Eves hold mighty Aus to 0-0 draw
Hastings (New Zealand): After two consecutive defeats, India women's hockey team put up a much-improved show to hold world No. 2 Australia to a goalless draw in their third match of the Hawke's Bay Cup, here on Tuesday. By virtue of this result, the Indian eves opened their account in the points table of the tournament while Australia registered their third consecutive draw. Indian goalkeeper Savita starred under the bar pulling off numerous saves to leave Australians frustrated. In the second quarter, India wasted a great chance to surge ahead when they were awarded a penalty stroke after Anuradha Thockchom was brought down inside the circle but the opportunity went in vain. In the fourth and final quarter, Australia went on the offensive and attacked in numbers but Indian goalkeeper Savita made a goal line save to keep a clean slate for her team.
Narang, Rajput survive elimination
Changwon (Korea): Olympic bronze medallist Gagan Narang, Sanjeev Rajput and Chain Singh survived their respective elimination rounds to enter the qualification round for the finals of men's 50m rifle 3 position event at the ISSF World Cup (Rifle/Pistol) here on Tuesday. Among them, london Games bronze winner Narang returned the best score with a combined total of 1170 for all the three positions of kneeling, prone and standing. Chain Singh was next best with a score of 1167, while Rajput could shoot a total of 1157.
Phelps returns to pool
Mesa (Arizona): Michael Phelps will compete in his first swim meet this week since returning from a six-month suspension following a second drunken driving arrest. The 18-time Olympic champion is entered in five events in the Arena Pro Swim Series meet in Arizona that begins on Wednesday. Phelps is entered in the 100-meter butterfly on Thursday, 100 backstroke and 400 freestyle on Friday, and 200 individual medley and 100 free on Saturday. Also entered in those same five events is his longtime rival Ryan lochte. The 29-year-old swimmer also was banned from participating in this summer's world championships in Russia, although USA Swimming has had informal discussions about Phelps possibly competing. Phelps qualified for the world meet in the 100-meter butterfly, 100 freestyle and 200 individual medley before being suspended.
French Open prize money goes up
Paris: Prize money at the French Open will rise to 28 million euros ($29.5 million) this year, an increase of 3 million euros from last year. The men's and women's champions will receive 1.8 million euros ($1.9 million) each, 150,000 euros more than 2014, and losing finalists will receive 900,000 euros, a raise of 75,000 euros. Tournament director and French Tennis Federation general director Gilbert Ysern says "this notable increase in Roland Garros prize money is part of the four-year plan that was put in place for 2013 until 2016." The French Open begins on May 24.