Djoker out of Davis Cup doubles
BELGRADE: Serbia’s world number two Novak Djokovic has been left out of the doubles in the Davis Cup final against holders Czech Republic, with Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac named to play against Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek. The teams were locked at 1-1 after Saturday’s opening singles, with Djokovic beating Stepanek in straight sets before Berdych redressed the balance against late replacement Dusan Lajovic, who stepped in for the injured Janko Tipsarevic. Djokovic faces Berdych in Sunday’s opening reverse singles before world number 117 Lajovic takes on Stepanek in a potentially decisive fifth rubber in the imposing Kombank Arena. The Czechs are vying to become the first nation to retain the trophy since Spain won back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009, while hosts Serbia are bidding for their second cup after winning it at the same venue in 2010. (Reuters)
Assam take 1st innings lead
Anantpur: Opener Dheeraj Jadhav (158) struck a brilliant century to guide Assam to a crucial first innings lead against Andhra in their Ranji Trophy Group C match, as they ended day three on 352 for seven, here on Saturday. Jadhav’s knock comprised of 21 boundaries and a six and the 35-year-old added a 179 runs with Niraj Patel (70) for the fifth wicket to help his side go past Andhra’s first innings total of 297. Assam lead by 55 runs with 3 wickets remaining in their first innings, at Rural Development Trust Stadium here. Shankara Rao, Kakani Harish, DP Vijaykumar bagged two wickets each for Andhra, while D Shivkumar claimed one. Brief scores: Andhra: 297 Assam: 352/7 (Dheeraj Jadhav 158, Niraj Patel 70; Shankara Rao 2/62). (PTI)
Kerala overwhelm Tripura
Kannur (Kerala): A magnificent bowling performance by left-arm spinner C Shahid (7/45) took Kerala to a nine-wicket win over Tripura in their Ranji Trophy group C match here on Saturday. Starting the day 157 runs behind hosts, Tripura witnessed a batting collapse as they lost their last seven wickets for just 18 runs bundling out for 202. Shahid kept a tight leash on Tripura batsmen and gave away just 45 runs in his 29.3 overs. Wicketkeeper Yogesh Takawale (81) and Samrat Singha (46) put on a 188-run stand for the fourth wicket to bail out Tripura from 66 for three. But Shahid dismissed Takawale at 184 to put an end to a threatening partnership for Kerala and ran through the lower order as visitors could only give 46-run target. Nikhilesh Surendran made 31, while VA Jagadeesh (15) and Sanju Samson (1) remained unbeaten to take Kerala home. (PTI)
Nigeria through to World Cup
LAGOS: A penalty from Victor Moses and a sweetly struck free kick from Victor Obinna ensured Nigeria became the first African country to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals after beating Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate in their playoff tie. The 2-0 home win in the second leg in Calabar on Saturday means the reigning African champions have reached the finals for the fifth time, having played in four of the last five tournaments. (Reuters)