Rani to be SAI coach
New Delhi: Indian women’s hockey team forward Rani Rampal is set to become an assistant coach with the Sports Authority of India after SAI relaxed its recruitment norms owing to her fine brilliant record. The Haryana-girl came into limelight when she became a part of the Indian Team to the 2010 World Cup at the age of 15. A year before that, she had played a key role in guiding India to the Champions Challenge Tournament title in Kazan, Russia by scoring four goals. She was adjudged the ‘Young player of the Tournament’ for this performance.
Bopanna, Mergea advance
Washington: Third seeds Rohan Bopanna and Florin Mergea overcame a poor start to beat Andy Murray and Daniel Nestor as they advanced to the quarterfinals of the ATP Citi Open. Bopanna and his Romanian partner defeated the Scottish-Canadian team 2-6, 6-1, 10-3 in the opening round. There was no looking back for Bopanna and Mergea after the squared the match by taking the second set as they oputplayed Murray and Nestor in the super tie-break. The Indo-Romanian combine will next face the Bulgarian-American pair of Grigor Dimitrov and Mardy Fish.
Indian challenge ends in Jr tennis
Prostejov (Czech republic): Indian girls were out of the semifinal race at the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals after a 0-3 defeat at the hands of Italy in Group B. Shivani Amineni took the courts first, losing 4-6, 1-6 to Federica Rossi. The onus to bring India back was on Mahak Jain but she went down fighting 4-6, 5-7 to Elisabetta Cocciaerto in the second singles. The doubles was rendered inconsequential following Mahak’s defeat. Coach Nar Singh fielded Prinkle Singh and Shivani and they lost 1-6, 4-6 to Federica and Elisabetta. It was second successive defeat for the Indian team, following a 1-2 defeat against Czech Republic in the four-team Group B. They now play Egypt on Wednesday.
Titans, Panthers play a draw
Hyderabad: Telugu Titans began their home leg with a thrilling draw against Pink Panthers in the Pro Kabaddi season two here on Tuesday. The scoreline read 39-39 in the end with teams sharing three points apiece. The Titans remain in second place with 29 points and Panthers in sixth with 16. Telugu Titans had beaten the Pink Panthers 33-22 in Jaipur earlier in the competition. The hero of today’s humdinger was undoubtedly the tall Sonu Narwal, who was trapped just once by the rival defence. He had a whopping tally of 13 points including three bonus points.
Sharma in lead after Day 2
Hubli: Sandeep Sharma (co-driver Karan Arya) were leading after day two of Maruti Suzki Dakshin Dare rally that passed through the rocky terrains of Kapat Hill, located in Karnataka’s Gadag district. In the extreme car category, Sharma zoomed towards the lead in his Maruti Gypsy with a timing of 2:35:06. Samrat Yadav (Gaurav) were second (2:39:23). Suresh Rana (Parminder) were third (2:42:10).