Sania is now world number three in doubles
New Delhi: Sania Mirza jumped to her career-best rank of three in the doubles, following her stupendous title win at the BNP Paribas Open with Swiss great Martina Hingis. Sania now sits at number three with 6885 points, behind Italians Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani, who share the top spot with 7640 points each. Courtesy her win at the Indian Wells, Sania earned 1000 points and gained two places on the WTA chart. She had reached the final of the same tournament last year with Cara Black. “It’s thrilling to achieve my career-best rank. Being the number one is a dream and I hope I can get there some day,” Sania told PTI from the US. In the WTA singles chart, Ankita Raina continues to be numero uno player at number 253, up by two spots. In the ATP rankings, Somdev Devvarman maintained his 176th rank while Ramkumar Ramanathan was number two after gaining 10 places to be at 247. Yuki Bhambri was the next best at 257 as he jumped 27 spots. In the doubles, Leander Paes slid to 25, a loss of four places and just behind him was Rohan Bopanna, who lost one spot on the ladder. (PTI)
Delhi to host Indian open from today
New Delhi: Five-time world champion is all set to make his debut at the fifth edition of the Yonex Sunrise India Open Super Series badminton tournament, starting here tomorrow. Top Indian shuttlers Saina Nehwal and K Srikanth would also be seen in action in the mega event. Commenting on the preparation ahead of the tournament, P Kashyap said after winning gold at Syed Modi Tournament, he is bit more confident and looking forward to win home tourney. Asked about the chances of wining this time, he said, “Like Lee Chong Wei wins his every home tournament, we are also trying to win in our home tournament. And hope an Indian will win in this edition.” Fourth seeded K srikanth who beat Lin Dan in China Open is also expecting a China open re-match with him with the same result. Badminton Association of India (BAI) president Akhilesh Das Gupta said, “This is the fifth edition of the Yonex Sunrise Indian open and we have hosted almost all the major international events, including last year’s Thomas and Uber cup finals.” (UNI)
Crowe hails ‘courageous’ Guptil
Wellington: New Zealand great Martin Crowe today praised Martin Guptill’s record-breaking World Cup feats after helping the batsman reinvent himself late in his career. Crowe, who is battling terminal cancer, also tipped another of his proteges Ross Taylor to come good for the Black Caps, who face South Africa on Tuesday for a spot in the final. Guptill hit a World Cup-record 237 not out as New Zealand crushed the West Indies by 143 runs on Saturday, the second-highest individual score in one-day international history. After the 163-ball knock, the opener revealed that tips from Crowe had helped improve his batting, particularly his footwork and stance. But Crowe said Guptill deserved the credit for being prepared to ask for help, then going back to the basics to alter his technique. “It’s a courageous move to rebuild at 28,” Crowe told Fairfax New Zealand. “He wants to be a successful Test batsman and he made the right call at the right time.” Crowe said he sent Guptill a text message reading “OMG” after his innings, although he said it did not carry the standard meaning of “Oh My God”. “(It) could also be read as ‘Oh Marty Guptill’ but actually it meant ‘Oh My Gap’,” he said. “We’ve talked a lot over the last few months about not looking at fielders, about looking at gaps. The more the mind is focused on gaps the more it will find them.” (PTI)
