Lenton targets record assault
Libby Lenton has set her sights on reclaiming the 100M freestyle world record at the Australian Olympic trials starting in Sydney on Saturday. Germany’s Britta Steffen holds the official record of 53.50S. Lenton became the first woman to break the 53-second barrier last year in the Australia vs US meet, but the record didn’t count because it was not considered an official event.
Sunitha moves up as Sanaa loses
Sunitha Rao remained the lone Indian hope in the $15,000 ITF women’s tennis event by advancing to the quarterfinal after compatriot Sanaa Bhambri bowed out in the second round on Wednesday, reports PTI from New Delhi.
Second seed Sunitha had little trouble in disposing of Serbian Teodora Mircic 6-2, 6-2 in her second-round match. In contrast, Sanaa put up a good fight but ultimately lost 5-7, 4-6 to Vlada Ekshibarova at the Jaypee Sports Complex in Greater Noida.
Sunitha faces seventh seed Sandy Gumulya of Indonesia, who beat Chinese Sheng-Nan Sun 6-4, 6-2.
Joshna enters title round
National champion Joshna Chinappa swept aside compatriot Dipika Pallikal to set up a summit showdown with top-seeded Louise Crome in the Vietnam Open in Hanoi on Wednesday, reports PTI from New Delhi.
Seeded fifth, Joshna took just 36 minutes to trounce her compatriot 9-6, 9-7, 9-4 in the semifinals.
Amla’s brother in limelight too
Ahmed Amla, the younger brother of South African opening batsman Hashim Amla, has been appointed captain of the country’s Emerging Squad to play a series of matches against Australia, India and New Zealand in Australia in July, reports PTI from Durban.
The 28-year-old Amla, currently captain of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial team, is one of three players of Indian origin selected for the Emerging Squad.
The squad: Ahmed Amla (capt), Yusuf Abdullah, Werner Coetzee, Werner Coetzee, Henry Davids, C J de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Imraan Khan, Rory Kleinveldt, Wayne Parnell, Daryn Smit, Blake Snijman, Thandi Tshabalala, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Vaughn van Jaarsveld.
Bencharifa is new Bagan coach
Mohun Bagan on Wednesday formally roped in Moroccan Karim Bencharifa as their new football coach for the coming season, reports PTI from Kolkata.
The club signed a one-year contract with Bencharifa, who coached Churchill Brothers to the second position in the I-league which concluded last month. The deal was inked in New Delhi.
All-India snooker tournament
About 100 cueists from various parts of the country will vie for top honours at the inaugural John W Roberts Memorial all-India Invitation Open snooker tournament to be held in Chennai from March 22 to April 2, reports UNI from Chennai.
The main draw, comprising 36 players, will have eight groups and will be played in a round-robin league format.
Chennai emerge champions
Chennai defeated Union Secretariat 1-0 in the final of the All-India Civil Services football tournament on Wednesday, reports DHNS from Mandya.
Kumaran scored the match-winner in the 18th minute. RSB Kochi edged past RSB Bangalore 1-0 to clinch the third place.
Players allowed four challenges
Players will be allowed up to four unsuccessful challenges per set at any tournament that uses electronic line calling systems, tennis officials said on Wednesday, reports Reuters from London.
The four tennis governing bodies -- ITF, ATP, WTA Tour and Grand Slams -- said in a statement they had agreed to adopt a unified challenge system in all professional tennis meets and team competitions.
