Serena pulls out of Swedish Open
STOCKHOLM: Swedish Open organiers say defending champion Serena Williams will not appear at the tournament next week because she doesn’t feel on top form. Tournament spokesman Marcus Duner said on Friday that the top-seeded American had decided to use one of her two allowed annual withdrawals, with Williams saying in a statement that she was ”still not at 100 percent.” At Wimbledon, Williams couldn’t get the ball over the net in a doubles match with her sister Venus, stopping after three games because of what was called a viral illness. Williams told organisers she was sad to miss Bastad. ”It was my favourite spot to play last year and I am deeply saddened I cannot return,” she said. (AP)
Bautista Agut wins Stuttgart title
STUTTGART: Roberto Bautista Agut defeated Lukas Rosol 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in the Mercedes Cup final on Sunday for his second career title. Third-seeded Bautista Agut saved five of the six break points he faced and converted three of his six chances to win in 1 hour, 42 minutes. World No. 48 Rosol fired 13 aces to Bautista Agut’s two, but the Czech was unable to prevent the 23rd-ranked Spaniard from claiming his second title in as many months. Bautista Agut, who defeated defending champion and top-seeded Fabio Fognini on Saturday, claimed his maiden victory at ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands last month. Rosol, who knocked out second-seeded Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in his semifinal, was also bidding for his second title after winning at Bucharest last year. (AP)
India men’s hockey team departs for CWG
New Delhi: The Indian men’s hockey team led by midfielder Sardar Singh left for Glasgow on Sunday morning for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, to be held from July 23 to August 3. The Indian team will play their opening game against Wales on July 25, followed by matches against hosts Scotland, Australia and South Africa during the tournament. Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who recently claimed his 100th international cap, will shoulder the responsibility as the vice-captain of the side. The team had been practicing different patterns during the training sessions at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here over the last three weeks, and the chief coach Terry Walsh expressed confident of his players implementing the tactics and strategies well in the matches, and end the tournament on a high. “The preparatory camp was productive as it helped us to work on the areas that the team was lacking in. The team is all pepped up and confident of performing well in the Games ahead. We are sure that we will end the tournament on a high note and take the form onto the Asian Games,” said Walsh. (PTI)