Syed Modi: Men’s singles final declared ‘No Match’
Lucknow, Jan 23: The men’s singles final of the Syed Modi India International badminton tournament here on Sunday was declared as a ‘No Match’ after one of the finalists tested positive for COVID-19. The all-French clash was scheduled between Arnaud Merkle and Lucas Claerbout. “The men’s singles final of the Syed Modi India International 2022 has been declared a ‘No Match’. BWF can confirm one of the finalists tested positive for COVID-19 this morning,” the Badminton World Federation said in a statement. “The other finalist is deemed a close contact and has also been withdrawn. Details on winner status, world ranking points and prize money will be revealed in due course,” the BWF added. (PTI)
Indian GM Lalith Babu wins Czech Republic tournament
Marianske Lazne (Czech Republic), Jan 23: Indian Grandmaster M R Lalith Babu emerged victorious in the Marienbad Open 2022 chess tournament here. He remained unbeaten through nine rounds and accumulated 6.5 points to finish half a point ahead of Icelandic GM Hannes Stefansson, the runner-up. Lalith Babu won four games and drew the other five to take the top position. His wins came against Czech players Vaclav Finek, Karel Malinovsku, Daniel Sorm and Jakub Kusa. It was a third straight title for Lalith Babu. (PTI)
Drone disrupts play briefly in Premier League match
LONDON, Jan 23: Play was suspended for nearly 20 minutes in the first half of a Premier League match between Brentford and Wolverhampton on Saturday because a drone was hovering above the field. The referee instructed players to leave the field in the 34th minute at Brentford Community Stadium in west London. The teams re-emerged and briefly warmed up before play resumed with 19 minutes remaining in the first half, which ended scoreless and 71 minutes after the match had started. (AP)