Bengaluru to host two-week ATP Challenger swing in May
Bengaluru, Feb 28: Indian tennis is set for a major boost as the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) prepares to host two consecutive ATP Challenger 50 tournaments at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium in Bengaluru from May 11 to 17 and May 18-24. The two-week swing will position Bengaluru at the centre of men’s professional tennis in India, giving players back-to-back opportunities to compete for valuable ATP ranking points on home soil. Part of the ATP Challenger Tour and the bridge between the ITF circuit and the ATP Tour, these events play a key role in developing emerging talent. The announcement follows the successful 10th edition of the Bengaluru Open 125 in January and India’s dramatic 3–2 Davis Cup victory over the Netherlands earlier this month. (IANS)
NBA: Tempers flare as Thunder top Nuggets 127-121 in OT
OKLAHOMA CITY (US), Feb 28: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points in his return after missing nine games with an abdominal strain and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets 127-121 in overtime in a testy matchup that featured multiple technical fouls and an ejection. Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, didn’t play in overtime, but the Thunder still pulled through in the extra period. Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who got into an altercation with Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort in the fourth quarter, had 23 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists. Dort was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul. Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, listed as questionable with an illness before the game, led the Nuggets with 39 points. (AP)
