Henin’s chances bright: Serena
Even after another painful loss at the German Open, Justine Henin’s rivals still think the Belgian can pull it together to win a fifth French Open next month.
“Henin’s such a great winner,” said Serena Williams. “She can play a lot better. She knows that.” Williams handed Henin the worst loss for a No. 1 player in nine years last month at the Sony Ericsson, 6-2, 6-0.
Saini wins title as India finish third
Ashbir Saini won the individual title as India finished third in the Asia Pacific Junior golf championship on Friday, reports UNI from Manila. The 14-year-old Saini, from Kapurthala, is representing the country for the first time.
India finished four strokes behind winners Thailand and three behind the runners-up Chinese Taipei.
India were one stroke behind Thailand going into the final round but Chinese Taipei staged a brilliant fightback to grab the second spot as Rahul Bakshi and Rashid Khan failed to live up to potential.
Isha to take on Miki in title clash
Top seed Isha Lakhani of India and fourth-seeded Miki Miyamura of Japan will clash in the singles final of the BSNL-Kerala Open international women’s tennis tournament on Saturday, reports UNI from Thiruvananthapuram.
Isha had a comfortable 6-2, 6-0 win against compatriot Sanaa Bhambri while Miki defeated Min Hwa Yu of Korea 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.
India U-16 team to tour US
The Indian U-16 football team which won the AFC qualification round, will visit the US in July for a month as part of their preparatory programme for the final phase of AFC championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from October 4-8, reports PTI from.
Sixes tourney in Singapore
A lucrative new tournament, the iSixes World Series, was unveiled featuring teams from all nine Test playing nations, with $1-million going to the winners, reports AFP from Singapore.
Singapore will host the first leg of the six-a-side meet in July, with further stops expected in Shanghai, Dubai and one other yet-to-be announced country. Apart from the Test nations — Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies — the host country will also field a team.
India ‘A’ team to tour Israel
The India ‘A’ team will visit Israel for a week in July to play against an Israeli Invitation XI comprising players from other countries and a few homegrown cricketers, reports PTI from Mumbai. The week-long visit to Israel, at the invitation of its cricket association (ICA) as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the nation, will involve a three-match series against an invitation team.
India to play two friendlies
The Indian football team will play two friendly matches against the Chinese Taipei as part of its preparation for the forthcoming SAFF Championship which will be held in Maldives and Sri Lanka from June 3, reports PTI from New Delhi.
The All India Football Federation had invited the Chinese Taipei national team to play the friendlies. The first match will be played in Goa on May 24 while the second will be held in Chennai on May 27.
Ministry accepts IOA move
The Sports Ministry has accepted the Indian Olympic Association’s decision to suspend the Indian Hockey Federation and said it would deal with the IOA in all matters pertaining to the national game, reports PTI from New Delhi.
Narang equals world record
Equalling the world record, ace shooter Gagan Narang shot 600 in the qualification round to win the bronze medal in the men’s rifle prone event of the 39th Grand Prix of Liberation in Pilzen (Czech Republic), reports UNI from New Delhi.
Narang shot 99.8 in the final to notch up an aggregate score of 699.8 points. But his world record score might not be officially considered for record purposes as this competition is not a part of the International Shooting Sport Federation.
Gonci Jozef of Slovakia won the gold with 702.0 points (599+103), while Jazdzewski Jaroslaw of Poland took silver with 702.0 points (599+103).
In the men’s air pistol event, Samresh Jung shot 674.6 points (579+95.6) to finish eighth.
Anju finishes in fifth place
Ace long jumper Anju Bobby George leaped 6.55 metres to finish fifth at the Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix in Doha on Friday, reports PTI from New Delhi.
Tatyana Kotova of Russia matched Anju’s personal best of 6.83M to win gold. Brazil’s Maurren Higa Maggi won silver with an effort of 6.75M, while Chelsea Hammond of Jamaica leapt 6.69M for the bronze.
