Yuki reaches career-best rank of 89
New Delhi: India’s top singles player Yuki Bhambri regained his place in top-100 as he jumped 16 places to touch a career-best rank of 89, which now ensures him a direct entry into the main draw of Australian Open. 23-year-old Yuki, who has been playing consistently well, won the Pune Challenger on Saturday to collect 80 points. Saketh Myneni remained unchanged at 168 while Somdev Devvarman gained a place to be 180. In the doubles, there was no change in ranking of Rohan Bopanna, who was country’s highest-ranked player at number 14. leander Paes dropped three placed to 39. In the WTA rankings, Sania Mirza was joint world number one with Swiss partner Martina Hingis.
Pallikal, Chinappa rise in rankings
New Delhi: Dipika Pallikal jumped five places to be 14th while her longtime India teammate Joshana Chinappa gained three spots to be 17th in the latest Professional Squash Association (PSA) rankings. Pallikal posted gains after a strong showing in the US Open last month while Chinappa rose in the ranking charts following a stunning win over world number one Raneem El Welily in Doha two days ago. In the men’s section, Saurav Ghosal dropped a place to be 17th. The only other Indian nearby in the list was Mahesh Mangaonkar, who stood at 57th spot.
Ticket sales start for HWl Final
New Delhi: Hockey India has announced the commencement of on-ground ticket sales for the Hockey World league (HWl) Final to be held at the International Hockey Stadium in Raipur from November 27 to December 6. Tickets are available at the stadium and a couple of outlets in Raipur. Bilaspur will also have an outlet, the HI announced on Sunday. The online ticket sales for the tournament commenced on October 27 and tickets can be booked online with the official ticketing partner of the event, TicketGenie. The session tickets in the group stages have been priced at a minimum of `50 and every ticket holder will be allowed to view all matches of that day for which they hold tickets. The Raipur International Hockey Stadium, which would host an international event for the first time in its history, has a capacity to accommodate over 3,000 spectators. Along with India, Argentina, Britain, Canada, Belgium, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands will vie for top honours at the event organised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
Widodo taking measures to lift FIFA ban
JAKARTA (Indonesia): Indonesian President Joko Widodo says he will set up a team to investigate how to lift the country’s FIFA suspension. Widodo met with delegates from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation on Monday to discuss the sanction imposed in May citing government interference with the Indonesian soccer association. A FIFA ban prevents national and club teams from taking part in international matches.